AN AMBITIOUS £1.4-million expansion plan has been unveiled by the Gilead Foundation which will double the number of students the Christian charity is able to help at it?s Risdon Farm base.

The plan to expand the accommodation and facilities at the 320-acre farm, near Jacobstowe, will double the charity?s capacity as well as providing improved office, leisure and teaching facilities.

The increased capacity will allow the Gilead Foundation to do more to meet the growing demand for places at Risdon Farm.

The Gilead Foundation has helped hundreds of people with drug and alcohol addiction since it was founded 15 years ago.

The charity offers students the chance to gain valuable skills and vocational qualifications through work on its organic dairy farm.

The farm seeks to make the Gilead Foundation community as self-sufficient as possible in meat, eggs, milk and cream.

West Devon Borough Council planners have issued consent for the expansion following the submission of detailed plans for the development prepared by a firm of Christian architects.

The Foundation hopes work on the development could start later this year.

The centre piece of the plan involves the construction of three purpose-built family accommodation units, each capable of housing up to 10 students, house parents and workers.

Each accommodation unit will comprise sleeping accommodation, bathrooms, kitchens, dining and meeting areas and dedicated accommodation for the house parents, who provide support and guidance for the students.

New facilities for teaching activities will also be included in the development.

Plans to extend the main farmhouse to provide additional accommodation for students have also been prepared.

Chris Girdler, business director with the Gilead Foundation, said the charity would be looking to launch a major fundraising campaign to make the expansion possible.

Mr Girdler said the charity would be looking to grant-making trusts, major corporations, regional grants and to it?s own supporters to help in the next 12 months, with funding the expansion.

Mr Girdler said the development would help to meet the ?increasing need for residential rehabilitation? for people with drug and alcohol addictions.

He said the Gilead Foundation worked on the guiding principal of ?unlocking the potential? of people living troubled lives.