Minstead Study Centre faces closure (From This is Hampshire)

Minstead Study Centre faces closure

10:43am Friday 12th March 2010 in

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IT has been described as a paradise for children who want to learn about nature.

Minstead Study Centre, deep in the heart of the New Forest, is an award-winning facility that teaches youngsters about their impact on the planet and the need to protect the environment.

Each year, more than 1,500 primary school pupils from across Hampshire visit the county council-owned centre to study plants and animals.

But the authority has axed the building’s £103,000-a-year subsidy, sparking fears that the project could close.

The loss of the grant, which totalled a third of the facility’s annual income, has left staff struggling to find sources of revenue.

David Harrison, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition group on New Forest District Council, raised the issue at a meeting of the National Park Authority, of which he is also a member.

“Minstead Study Centre is a valuable place that does wonderful work. We should not allow it to die,” he said.

Manager Jane Pownall said: “We’re a leading edge in terms of sustainable education. However, the county council had to withdraw our funding and we’re going to have to raise the money ourselves.”

The centre has already been forced to increase the amount it charges schools to visit the site.

County council leader Ken Thornber said: “We’re determined to ensure that children are able to experience a wide range of educational, recreational and social experiences to help them develop their full potential. We must also ensure that areas of our business run efficiently and that we are spending taxpayers’ money wisely.

“The subsidy ended because the county council judged that Minstead Study Centre could generate sufficient income from its trading activities.”