Hampshire County Council’s Cabinet met yesterday to make a final decision on the proposal for a new specialist secure welfare children’s home on the Stubbington Study Centre site. Following a lengthy discussion, including full consideration of the consultation feedback and recommendations from the local authority’s Hampshire 2050 Select Committee, Cabinet unanimously rejected the proposal.

Following members’ agreement, they will now ask council officers to write to the Department for Education requesting additional time to see whether any new potential sites emerge for their consideration. They will also ask officers to approach other local district and borough councils to explore the availability of any land to potentially accommodate the new home.

There have been strong views on this proposal, and we want to thank again everyone, including our many schools and school children, who have taken the time to share their feedback. We hope that the outcome of yesterday’s meeting demonstrates that the local authority has heard and listened to all views received very carefully.