A Lewisham scrutiny panel is urging the council to reverse a decision to sell off land formerly used by a children’s charity.  

Wide Horizons was an adventure learning charity formed in 2004 through a joint initiative between Lewisham and Greenwich councils.  

But the charity, which managed eight outdoor centres and provided adventure activities to nearly 47,000 children, was forced to close in 2018 over a lack of funding. 

Lewisham owns three of the centres – one in Dartford and two in Wales – but agreed to sell off the land in January, subject to approval from the Education Secretary.  

The decision was criticised by the council’s overview and scrutiny business panel, who said the sales would be “detrimental” to future generations.   

“Having considered the decisions taken by the mayor and cabinet and clarification by officers at the meeting of OSBP on January 28, members noted that disposal of the assets would not be detrimental to children and young people in Lewisham because there were other easily accessible and safer alternative facilities elsewhere.  

“Members of the OSBP however expressed a view that the sale of the land would be detrimental to future generations and therefore should only be considered as a last resort.  

“Members of the OSBP also agreed that the offer available at Beckenham Place Park was excellent, but not comparable, as it was not residential,” according to council documents.  

The council had said that Beckenham Place Park “serves as an ideal replacement for activities and services previously provided by Wide Horizons”.  

Members of the panel decided to call in the decision, urging mayor and cabinet “re-consider”. 

It said: “Consideration should always be given to retain the freehold on land we own.  

“In the circumstance, options for income generation should be properly considered to help cover costs currently incurred from the land, including possible future use and opportunities.”  

A council spokesperson said the money from the sales could be put into services that help children lead healthy lives.

 “Since Wide Horizons went into administration, Lewisham’s children and young people have continued to access a range of high-quality outdoor education centres.

“The remote locations of the former Wide Horizons sites mean that the buildings are underused.

“Efforts were made to find another outdoor youth education service to run them, but the amount of maintenance required would mean the council would have to pay a considerable amount of upkeep for some time, and any rental income generated would be minimal.

“These properties are not strategic land for the council.

“We are hopeful that the money generated from the sale of the sites can be reinvested in services that will help Lewisham’s children and young people live healthy and active lives,” the spokesperson said. 

The call-in will be debated at a mayor and cabinet meeting on March 11.