A petition to save a beloved residential activity centre has been signed by over 2,000 people in less than 24 hours.
Hampshire County Council plans to build a new specialist children’s home on the site of Stubbington Study Centre, threatening the closure of the outdoor facility that caters to more than 6,500 children per year.
The decision has been met with backlash from parents and schools, though the council says it is trying to help meet the increasing need for residential care to support vulnerable children and young people in the county.
If approved, the outdoor learning activities would need to cease in September, and now thousands have protested the proposal by singing a petition on change.org.
READ MORE: Hampshire County Council plans to close Stubbington Study Centre
At the time of writing, it has 2,714 signatures.
A historic photo as children from The Cresent Primary School Eastleigh enjoy the earthquake zone. (Image: Newsquest) Laura Mcvinnie, who started the petition, said: “This institution, a rite of passage for all school-aged children in Hampshire, is facing unjust closure.
“To lose Stubbington is to sever a lifeline for lifelong learning and to deny future generations the experiences that have become a cherished part of growing up in Hampshire.
“It's not just about preserving a building, but a key element of our community, a treasured heritage and a tradition that connects past, present and future.”
Mark Scarborough supported the petition, saying that the centre’s range of ‘environmental, sport and outdoor activities cannot be matched’ in the region.
A file photo as children from The Cresent Primary School Eastleigh enjoy the wildlife. (Image: Newsquest) “It is often the first residential experience for many pupils,” he posted online.
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Joanna Milne also backed the petition, saying: “Having experienced this wonderful centre as a child in 1986, as a teacher since 2010 and also as a parent, it really saddens me that such a wonderful and valuable resource could be lost.”
Peter Frost said it would be a ‘tragedy’ to lose the centre when signing and Kellianne Rice questioned where the wildlife would go if they shut down.
Hampshire County Council is inviting schools and residents to share their feedback on the proposal.
Speaking on the closure of the study centre, leader of HCC, Cllr Nick Adams-King said: “We recognise that Stubbington Study Centre, while not a legal obligation for the county council to provide, is a much used and popular facility.”
A consultation closes on February 10.
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