Study Centre wins the day

Residents campaigning to save the Stubbington Study Centre from closure have won a massive victory, persuading Hampshire County Council's Cabinet to renounce the plan.

They have agreed that the Stubbington Centre will NOT be repurposed to make way for  a Secure Children's Home, even though a report had identified the Stubbington Lane site as the only suitable location in the County for a Government-funded replacement for Swanwick Lodge, which is no longer fit for purpose as a Secure Home.

The County Council will now ask the Government for a six-month extension before the offer of funding is withdrawn, to enable them to renew the search for an alternative site.

They will ask District Councils and other partners to check whether they have suitable sites which could be transferred to the County.

The resolution adopted on March 18 accepts the risk of losing the Goverrnment funding and the possible impact on Swanwick Lodge. But it states unequivocably: “The Stubbington site will not be re-purposed  for the development of a secure residential welfare unit.”

Fareham Lib Dem Councillor Dave Wilshire who attended the meeting said: “It was a pleasure to hear some of the deputations from some of the children that used the centre. Their deputations were incredible, highlighting the importance of such an amazing outdoor education centre.”

He added: “I was shocked to hear that over the years ampshire County Council took surplus savings from the Study Centre which has amounted to almost £700,000. This was used to fill a black hole in County funds, not re-invested  in the Centre”  

• For background on the Study Centre see “Campaign gets a boost” and “Fight to save Study Centre”.