COUNCIL chiefs have given the green light today to close a respite centre for vulnerable residents in Hampshire.

The John Darling Mall respite centre in Boyatt Wood will be shutting its doors after the county council’s adult social care chief gave the go ahead to close it.

The closure is part of Hampshire County Council bosses are looking to make £98m of cuts next year alone in the face of a reduction in their grant from Government.

Campaigners have battled to save the facility, saying it would hit vulnerable people and deprive the community of a “vital” facility.

The centre is used to look after adults with physical disabilities and provide their carers with respite.

A council report shows that 39 people used it regularly in 2014/15 with respite provided for up to 18 people at any one time.

The council says it is now not able to offer modern facilities and that it would cost £5 million to refurbish it and the closure would save the council £370,000 a year.

There are 23 members of staff at the facility, which the council says equates to 16 full-time jobs.

Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Cllr Liz Fairhurst said: “My decision today to close John Darling Mall is not one that I have taken lightly.

"I have looked in detail at the public consultation responses, and the reasons presented by Adult Services in support of closure - namely the decline in demand for respite at JDM, and the significant investment required to bring the building up to modern standards.

"My priority has been, and continues to be, to ensure that a range of good quality respite care options exist across the county to meet the changing needs and preferences of Hampshire’s residents.

"Those who currently use John Darling Mall will continue to receive respite support and we will work closely with them, and their families and carers, to identify the most appropriate options to meet their needs, both now and in the future."