Dinenage raises study centre closure concerns
By Linden Grigg
GOSPORT MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage, has made a last minute effort to prevent the closure of the much-loved Stubbington Study Centre; which is being considered by Hampshire County Council under plans to convert this site into a specialist secure welfare children’s home from September 2025.
The site opened ninety years ago in 1935 and more than four thousand students have residential visits there each year; where they can enjoy activities such as exploring nature ad survival skills. It has offered memories for children aged in Year R to Year 6 as part of their school year, whilst they also run holiday camps and sessions.
However Hampshire County Council released plans in January to shut the site and convert into a children’s home for vulnerable shortage due to a national shortage with Swanwick Lodge the only such space in Fareham or Gosport. But this facility needs some development including all updates of the building and this could see Swanwick Lodge temporarily shut.
Councillors further argue that they don’t have a legal duty to provide outdoor activities via Stubbington Study Centre and there are many other local outdoor ventures that offer similar services; which far outweighs a national shortage of children’s homes. This is disputed by many locals and users, who feel that the venue should remain open.
Hundreds of people attended a march on February 8 to reject the plan and 17,000 signatures have been recorded on an online petition; whilst Fareham & Waterlooville MP Suella Braverman has also voiced her opposition. Meanwhile Ms Dinenage has rewritten a letter to the council urging a change of plan, which was sent on Monday evening to end a consultation period.
Caroline has already written to the Council stating her opposition to the proposals in a letter dated 14 January and raised further concerns and suggestions on 21 January. She joined local Fareham Borough Council Councillors to urge residents to respond to the consultation on 24 January, whilst also raising her concerns about the proposals in a column in the Daily Echo on 7 February.
A final decision is likely to be made by the County Council’s Cabinet in March 2025, where they will access any impacts of the proposed closure and public feedback will form part of their meeting. Any outcome should be communicated to the public as soon as possible.
Speaking after the consultation closed, Caroline said: It has been so good to see local people come together in support of Stubbington Study Centre, and it has been lovely to hear about all the experiences connected to the site”
“I hope that when it comes to assessing the results of the consultation, the strength of feeling that these proposals do not have the support of local people shines through. I urge the Council to listen to those concerns and change direction on their plans to deprive future generations of this wonderful local site.’
PICTURED BY STUBBINGTON STUDY CENTRE (HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL): Popular facility could close as part of a plan to convert the area into a children’s home.
