A petition is gaining traction to save the Stubbington Study Centre from closure
Fareham: There’s a big push happening to save the Stubbington Study Centre. A petition on Change.org is rallying support against Hampshire County Council’s plan to shut it down.
If the council goes ahead, the centre will close in September 2025, and they’ll start building a new secure children’s home. That means schools and groups will lose a great resource.
Parents, schools, and the local community are banding together to stop this. They’ve launched a petition called ‘campaigning to save the Stubbington Study Centre in Fareham from closure,’ and it’s already got over 4,600 signatures!
Laura Mcvinnie, who kicked off the petition, believes losing the centre would cut off a vital resource for lifelong learning. She says it would rob future generations of experiences that many cherish from their childhood in Hampshire.
Laura also mentioned that this isn’t just about a building; it’s about preserving a key part of their community and a tradition that connects everyone.
Ingrid Smith, another supporter, pointed out how unfair it is to sacrifice one group of kids for another. She’s calling for more creativity and intelligence from those in power to protect both groups.
The council noted that Stubbington had over 4,500 overnight guests and nearly 2,000 day visitors last year. But Councillor Nick Adams-King argues there’s a pressing need for specialist residential care and sees this as a rare chance to create a top-notch facility.
Residents have until Monday, February 10, to share their thoughts through an online form or by emailing the council directly. After that, the proposal will be reviewed by the Hampshire 2050 committee on March 5, and if all goes well, it’ll head to the cabinet on March 18.
