However, it became clear that using the Beaconsfield was not viable.  Orchard Hill, a specialist college for young adults with learning difficulties, had been given permission to use the centre for one year.  They were working with Kingston College, but this fell through for a number of reasons.  The only options for these disabled learners was to remain at Beaconsfield or return to a Sutton base.

As one mother told me, the journey to Sutton with the traffic, was too much for her daughter.  Liberal Democrat Councillors felt it was best for them to remain within Kingston Borough.

says Councillor Dave Ryder-Mills, Lead Member for Education

Further discussions took place between Kingston Council, Liberal Democrat and Conservative Councillors and consensus was reached that the best option was to use Newent House on Browns House. The residential care home was vacated last year and the day centre users are moving to Age Concern within the next couple of months.

There are 2 advantages to using Newent House.

• Soon it will be an empty property and this needs considerable security to protect it from squatters, which cause problems for neighbours.
• It gives the Council a year to review adult education including possible closer partnerships with other providers in Kingston and Richmond.

For more information see http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2545.