THE future of a scheme to create Wales' first centre of excellence for children and adults with autism has been thrown into question. The doubts have been raised following a decision by the Denbigh-based Brondyffryn Trust, set up two years ago, to stop its involvement in the scheme. But Denbighshire County Council officers acted swiftly to try to dispel fears over the ambitious project. Parents of children attending Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn will today receive letters telling them of the trustees' decision not to proceed with the plan for residential care facilities on the site of the former Gwynfryn unit at the North Wales Hospital, Denbigh. The proposal is to integrate the centre with a new school, to replace existing overcrowded premises. A new secondary school has already been built for older pupils near Denbigh High School. The residential complex was to be provided by a partnership involving the trust, Denbighshire County Council and the Welsh Assembly, which donated the 10-acre site. The first phase involves building three four-bedroom cottages as permanent homes for 12 young people. An existing building is to be converted into six four-bedroom flats for children who attend the school throughout the week. The project is expected to cost £3.5m. It is understood some of the parents received the trustees' letter yesterday. In it the trustees simply explained they felt they could not continue. No details are available, but it is believed the problems lay in the relationships between the partners and not in a lack of funds. Trish Holland, director of the trust, declined to go into detail, but said: "The trustees feel it would be inappropriate to make any statement until after our next meeting on April 13." Denbighshire's Chief Executive Ian Miller said: "We have been informed, following a meeting of Trustees of Brondyffryn Trust yesterday, that they do not now feel in a position to continue with the arrangements to develop residential care facilities for children with autism, in conjunction with the county council. "The council very much regrets this decision following the extensive work carried out on the project. "Denbighshire County Council has continually confirmed its commitment to the project and will be moving forward swiftly to develop the residential facilities," said Mr Miller. "The council does not anticipate that the decision of the trustees, should they confirm their decision to wind up the trust, will impact on the development of the project." | 
