Families, cross-party political representatives, including MP Kevin Hollinrake, and campaigners were in Malton Market Place on Saturday morning to show support for Cauwood Day Centre.
A former old people’s home and the Cauwood services currently occupy the site.
Council officers have recommended that it be closed to make way for the new development, with support offered elsewhere. Those plans are out for consultation at the moment.
The centre currently supports people, who have either a learning disability and/or autism, or other physical and sensory needs. There are activities such as arts and crafts and access to a sensory room.
A report for councillors noted that there has been limited demand for the service over the past five years, with only two new people using the service since 2020. Officers say the property is outdated, in an isolated location, has high maintenance costs as well as staffing issues.
Norton Conservative Cllr Keane Duncan said: “Thank you to everyone who has signed our petition so far. The strength of support has been overwhelming.
“We have to remember North Yorkshire Council initially planned to close this centre without any consultation whatsoever. We believe that was deeply flawed, unfair, and potentially unlawful. We did secure a very welcome reprieve. There is now a consultation underway, but the fight to save Cauwood is far from over.
“We need more people to add their support for Ryedale’s most vulnerable people by signing our petition.”
Heidi Ridgewell, a family support worker for Ryedale Special Families, said: “Where are these young adults going to go to receive the same service? That’s an answer that nobody is getting. Ryedale is very rural. Centres like Cauwood are unique, and at present there is no plan B.”
Caroline Garrod, is a parent: “We’d just like to say thank you to everybody who is supporting us. So far we’ve had well over a thousand people sign the petition, and we are going to continue to fight to save this vital resource.
“We are not giving up. We are going to keep fighting until they actually accept that this building is needed.”
