The proposed closure of a local vital day facility for adults with learning disabilities has been met with public outcry.

The Springfield Centre in New Malden, run by national charity Home Farm Trust (Hft), was originally due to shut in October, but recent developments suggest the closure may now be paused.

Local carers and councillors have rallied against what has been described as a "callous" decision by Hft, which blamed financial pressures as reasons for the closure.

Speaking to Kingston Nub News, Independent Councillor James Giles described how the news of the closure first came about.

"We found out because service users started getting in touch with us saying they'd had a letter from Hft," he said.

"It was a real blow for them, to be told this last bastion in New Malden of their community is very abruptly going to be closing."

Cllr Giles has now submitted an Asset of Community Value (ACV) application to Kingston Council to protect the site from being sold off quickly, and he believes that this reflects deeper issues within Hft.

"We are told that the Springfield Centre itself does run a surplus to the charity. So, it is not that the centre itself is a loss," he added.

"What we've been told second-hand is that nationally Hft have got a deficit they ned to fill, and the plot of land in Springfield is a large plot of land and it's in what would be deemed a prime location.

"But selling off family silver is short-term gain, long-term pain, in my view."

For Victoria Diamond, who started a petition after hearing the news while boarding a flight, the decision came as a personal blow.

"My brother has learning disabilities and autism," she explained.

"He really regards it as his job, he works in the canteen there. So, he does not feel as if he is someone who is doing an activity, he is actually doing a job that has real meaning and gives him a sense of purpose.

"You can't just dump this on people with learning disabilities. It is not fair."

On 15 August, Kingston Council released a statement confirming Hft had agreed "in principle" to sell the building to a third party and lease it back, halting the planned October closure.

"This is a positive development," the council said, adding that services will "continue as normal" while legal and contractual details are finalised.

"But there is no guarantee the option will be successful," the council commented.

Diamond welcomes the pause but remains cautious.

"My fear is that it will all fall through, and we will be in the situation we were in two weeks ago. I want pressure placed on both the council and Hft that involves continuation of the service."

Independent councillor Yvonne Tracey, speaking on behalf of Kingston Independent Residents Group, also voiced strong opposition to the closure.

"We are united in total opposition. There was absolutely no consultation. Not with us as local councillors, not with families, not with the people who use the service every day. That is unacceptable," she said.

"This is not about politics; it is about standing together to protect vulnerable residents."

An 'extraordinary' Neighbourhood Committee meeting is being called for September to formalise political resistance.

For Cllr Giles, the proposed Springfield Closure is the latest in a long history of cuts to services for disabled residents.

"In 2010 The Crescent and The Causeway were knocked down, and those were in New Malden," he recalled.

"The community was told that they were shutting it down but there is the option of the Hft, which is the Springfield Centre."

Cllr Giles's brother also has learning difficulties, so this issue hits home.

"It is so important for me that we do speak out, because these are often people that are not as good at being able to advocate for themselves," he said.

He also raised the possibility of Kingston Council buying the site outright if leaseback options fall through.

"If necessary, the council should borrow money from the public works loan support and use their capital budget to purchase it as an asset for the community. We cannot afford this centre to go."

Diamond also questioned Hft's financial management and how the council allowed things to reach this point.

"Where was the oversight? The council sub-contracted the provision of learning disability services to Hft, but why were they not keeping an eye on their financial standing? There's a wider issue about funding for critical social services," she said.

The community now waits for updates on the potential leaseback deal. Meanwhile, campaigners are urging residents to voice their opposition and attend the upcoming committee meeting.

Cllr Tracey added: "We are offering solutions. ACV status is the first step, it stops the clock and gives us the time to put these alternatives in place. We are confident that with proper community involvement, there are viable options that will keep this service alive."