MP celebrates Council Council u-turn to keep Linden Court disability centre open

Eastbourne’s MP has today welcomed the U-turn by East Sussex County Council to save Linden Court disability day centre, several months after it has signed off plans to close it altogether.

Local families led by Sophie Thornton first protested against closure in the autumn of 2024, including a demonstration outside the centre, which is based on the Birch Industrial Estate.

Mr Babarinde raised the proposed closure four times in the House of Commons, including directly with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.

Despite the efforts of local campaigners, the Conservative-led County Council voted to close the service on 25th April but this decision was appealed in a move driven by opposition councillors, who compelled the County Council to reconsider in its Cabinet meeting today.

Campaigners compiled a detailed impact report, outlining the financial and emotional consequences of closure. It showed that several residents would likely need residential care earlier than planned — at greater cost to the County Council. 

Last week, families met with Council officers to explain the devastating impact the closure would have.

Mr Babarinde also met with the Director of Adult Social Care last week and wrote a last-ditch letter to cabinet members ahead of the cabinet meeting to urge County Council bosses to keep Linden Court open.

Mr Babarinde said:

“I’m relieved that after months of our campaigning, Conservative councillors have listened to local families and reversed their disastrous plans to close Linden Court.

This a fight that never should have had to happen in the first place.

I want to pay special tribute to the campaigners who worked tirelessly to protect this vital service, particularly Sophie Thornton, fighting for her brother jack and so many others. 

It’s been a privilege to stand alongside them – raising the issue in Parliament, protesting outside Linden Court, and meeting with councillors to keep up the pressure.

Cllr David Tutt said:

“I would like to thank the families of the Linden Court community for the work that they have done to demonstrate that closure, far from saving money could in fact cost the County Council more. They have been through much unnecessary anxiety as a result of the proposals of Conservative budget.  I am delighted that their campaign has been successful and hope that the important service provided by Linden Court will continue for many years to come”.

Lead Campaigner Sophie Ticehurst said: 

“The Linden Court Community are overjoyed that the decision to close this vital day service has been reconsidered by ESCC and their Cabinet members today. Linden Court provides vulnerable families with much needed support for their loved ones within their local community, where they have formed relationships with peers and staff members. It provides activities to help promote clients’ development and supports them to continue living within their home environments for as long as possible. It has been a long, tiresome and extremely stressful 9 months for the clients and their families during which time we have challenged financial costs and presented real facts to ESCC to maintain the service. We now wish to move on and continue with our lives as they were and hope ESCC will develop the service to ensure its future growth”.