Sutton Council has delayed controversial plans to close resource units for children with additional needs at two mainstream schools.

A consultation was launched on January 15 which suggested shutting the hearing resource impairment units at Rushy Meadows Primary School, in Rushy Meadow Lane, and Overton Grange School in Stanley Road.

However concerns raised by parents, teachers, and councillors during a meeting at Rushy Meadows on February 1 means a final verdict will be made after the consultation process on March 14.

A Sutton Council spokesman said: “When consulting on changes such as this we consider carefully the views of residents and service users.

“A final decision on the hearing impairment units will not be made until March.

“However, an option was discussed in these meetings to keep the units open at both Rushy Meadow and Overton Grange, but with fewer places.”

Among the proposals were also plans to close the unit for children with moderate learning difficulties at Amy Johnson Primary School, in Mollison Drive, changes in the admission policy for special needs schools and units, as well as a new post-18 unit at Sherwood Hills.

The consultation has three different options – no change and leave the number of commissioned places at 14, reduce the number of places, or close the HIRU and maintain support.

Grandmother Amanda, 55, of Gander Green Lane, whose granddaughter attends one of the two schools said: “Lilly has been in the unit for the last 6 years. Seeing her going to school so happy, having other friends who are deaf, getting that one-to-one support from Teachers of the Deaf, it’s just incredible.

“My brother is deaf and I’ve seen what growing up without any support looks like. It’s hard for a family, and it’s something we don’t ever want to go back to. So for my granddaughter, my family, and for future generations of deaf children in Sutton, we need to see these units staying open.”

The National Deaf Charity is also calling on the council to keep both hearing impaired units open and reinvest the funds potentially saved into other services for deaf children.

Nicola Ward, the National Deaf Children's Society London regional director, said: “It is absolutely vital that Sutton Council keep these units open. Specialist units like these have a huge wealth of experience and expertise that is essential for deaf children and their families.

“Because of lower numbers of deaf children at the unit at Overton Grange, there may be a case to reduce its size, but it is imperative the unit is not closed.”

The consultation has three different options – no change and leave the number of commissioned places at 14, reduce the number of places, or close the HIRU and maintain support.

It closes on February 12.