A children's centre and youth club could built under one roof as part of plans to transform youth services in Wallingford.

Families have welcomed Oxfordshire County Council’s plans for a £1.2m facility on the site of the dilapidated youth centre in Clapcot Way.

If permission is granted, it would be the first time Wallingford has had a designated children’s centre.

The building would be split — offering a range of services like parenting classes, play activities and advice and support for families on one side, and a new youth centre on the other.

County councillor Lynda Atkins, who came up with the idea of joining the two services, said the nearest children’s centre was at Berinsfield.

She said: “We had the youth centre and the children’s centre and both needed new facilities, two sorts of people with two different problems.

“They were not really talking to each other. When we were sitting down it really seemed to make sense to put them together. The idea is you start going to the centre age six months and you can still be going to the youth club at age 18.”

Wallingford youth worker Paul Alcorn said: "A new youth centre in Wallingford would be an excellent addition to the town and benefit everybody living there.

“I hope planning permission is granted so young people will have a youth centre they can be proud of."

Father-of-four Shaun Guard, 41, of Croft Villas, Wallingford, said: “It’s the sort of facility a town the size of Wallingford should have and doesn’t have, so it’s a good thing.

“At least one of my four children would probably have cause to use it.”

Charlie Hannigan, 17, of Newnham Green, Crowmarsh, said: “It gives the kids something to do. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but if it’s new and there’s lots of fun things for people do to, it would be good. It will be more attractive to people in the lower years of Wallingford School.”

In June, Oxfordshire County Council submitted plans to redevelop the youth club, paid for by housing on the site.

But the idea met opposition from local residents worried about noise and antisocial behaviour.

A County Hall spokesman said: “Various issues were raised during the consultation with planners, the youth service and local stakeholders, and these are being addressed.

“The opportunity has arisen for a children's centre to be included within the proposal, and a revised scheme is therefore being prepared.”

A planning application for the single-storey building will be submitted later this year.

If permission is granted, building work could start as early as 2010 and be completed the same year.

wallingford@oxfordmail.co.uk