A youth club for disabled children has criticised Surrey County Council (SCC) for "not listening" after it presented a 700-signature petition against plans to sell its home next year.

Epsom Phab, which provides activities for both disabled and able-bodied children, has operated from the Linton's Youth Centre in Linton’s Lane, Epsom for the last 30 years.

At a cabinet meeting in December, SCC voted to sell its leasehold in the centre, saying it is old and expensive to run, with the aim of finding an alternative, cheaper venue.

But, speaking after SCC’s cabinet meeting on Tuesday, at which Phab members presented the petition, club leader, Julia Giles, feels they are "now getting nowhere" in securing a future for Phab, even though the timescale for the sale has been extended until December 2013.

She said: "The youngsters asked SCC at the meeting whether it will fulfil its obligation under Epsom and Ewell Council’s (EEC) Plan E, a town centre framework, to work with EEC and the landowner to ensure community uses, including Phab, are retained on the site - but the question was avoided by Kay Hammond.

"They keep saying there is an outdoor facility option at Nescot, but Nescot has said it would take four to five years for the same level of facility to be built as we have now.

"We are really concerned that despite having worked closely with them on a task group for the issue since March, SCC is not listening to us."

But cabinet member for community services Kay Hammond said: "I recognise how anxious Phab has been about having to move away from Linton’s Lane. 

"We have re-negotiated terms to give us another year to allow groups using the centre to find a new home.

"I’m delighted to confirm that Nescot, with help from SCC, has successfully bid for £1.3m of government money to allow it to extend its facilities. 

"Nescot has agreed to discuss with Phab how the group can be included in the planning so it can use the new facilities after leaving Linton’s Lane.

"In addition, SCC will invest up to £125,000 to build a new floodlit games area, subject to final agreement with Nescot and planning permission."

Speaking to the cabinet, Phab’s members, who have just finished their exams, said: "If you agree to fulfil your obligation under Plan E you will get an A*. 

"If you continue with the decision you took in December 2011, you will get an F for failed - as you will have failed the young and disabled people of Epsom."