FARNHAM parents have criticised Surrey County Council for attempting to reduce the size of an activity centre on the site of a residential home for adults with autism, writes Local Democracy Reporter Rebecca Curley.

Work has already begun on the building of Linden Farm in Alfold, but parents of adults with autism and high needs who will move in there say they are concerned with last-minute changes to the planning permission granted in January 2017.

They have lodged a formal complaint about the county council’s handling of the whole build and say it is “immoral” that £360,000 raised by The Simon Trust to help fund the centre has been turned down.

Sally Lawrence, whose son Simon has severe autism and will be one of 10 residents moving into the complex, is chairman of the The Simon Trust.

Addressing councillors at the SCC planning and regulatory committee meeting on October 17, she said the size of the activity centre and removing the horticultural area would negatively impact the 10 residents who will live there.

She said: “People with autism need space. Without space and meaningful activities both indoor and out it will not be fit for purpose.”

Husband Peter Lawrence questioned why the cash they had raised had not been accepted and used by the council and urged them to work with the trust and parents.

He said: “All we want is for someone to listen to people who actually know and understand autism. We want Linden Farm to be a success.”

Social workers from SCC Adult Social Care defended the changes saying it was “a positive change which offers a person centred and flexible space” and they said the space for gardening will be revisited once the building work has completed.

Councillors deferred the application in a bid to open dialogue between SCC adult social care teams and The Simon Trust and to ensure the complex becomes a centre of excellence for adults with autism.

Mr and Mrs Lawrence welcomed the decision.