A PETITION calling on Powys County Council to reverse a “retrograde” decision to close a popular outdoor activity centre has gathered almost 4,000 signatures.

And petitioner Maggie Fitzpatrick-Reeves claims the council has rejected an investment bid which would have kept the Staylittle Outdoors Education Centre open at no further cost to the taxpayer.

The centre, which is located on the shores of Llyn Clywedog and managed by the not-for-profit Freedom Leisure since July 2015, primarily provides outdoor activities for large groups of schoolchildren. Speaking to the Cambrian News this week, Mrs Fitzpatrick-Reeves said children in the county with special educational needs would be hardest hit.

“Considering what has happened with children’s services recently, I think this is a really retrograde step that Powys County Council is taking,” she said.

“The centre employs 14 people and I know they do a lot of work with children with special educational needs, which is one of the things I am interested in because I used to work with SEN kids.”

As of Tuesday, the petition had gained 3,807 signatures since its launch last Thursday.

Mrs Fitzpatrick-Reeves put the success of the petition down to agreement that the decision is “really stupid”.

She added that an “excellent” source had informed her that the council rejected a bid which would have secured the future of the centre.

“I think it has taken off because everyone realises it is a really stupid decision. I know they have had bids put in which would not have cost the council money.”

Powys County Council confirmed it is to close the centre before April to make annual savings of “more than £130,000”.

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