PARENTS say they are cautiously optimistic at a decision by the council to build a new £350,000 special needs unit.

Bromley Council's policy and resources committee has agreed to spend the money on a new, larger unit for autistic children at Poverest Primary School, Poverest Road, Orpington.

But parents, who have battled to get the unit built, say they are worried a new council, to be voted in on May 2, might scrap the plan.

The money for the unit will come from the council's schools maintenance budget until negotiations for an access grant from the Government are completed. If the council fails to get the grant, it will have to foot the bill itself.

The new unit will have 24 places, instead of the present 18 and cater for children up to 11 years old. It will have three classrooms, a secure play area and a specialist therapy room.

The current infants-only unit, in a run-down mobile classroom, was closed with immediate effect after health and safety inspectors visited the school in February.

Emergency repairs to water leaks which threatened electrical wiring had to be carried out and the children had to spend the following two weeks in the school's adult education centre.

Tim Hall, 43, whose five-year-old son, Luke, attends the unit, helped set up the Poverest Special Infants' Unit Action Group to ensure the councillors understood exactly how dilapidated the unit had become.

He says the group will continue lobbying any new councillors, after the May local elections, to make sure there is not a change in the plans.

Mr Hall, of Mount View Road, Orpington, said: "We're obviously delighted at the decision but we'll believe it when we see it. There are still some hurdles to overcome so we've decided the best policy is to keep the pressure up."

He added parents are also concerned it could be delayed until next year if the planning application and other formalities are not completed quickly so building work can start during this year's summer holidays.

But Councillor Brian Humphrys, chairman of the education committee, said the April 2 decision was rushed through to make sure the unit is built this year.

He said: "Of course, it would be under the jurisdiction of any new council to stop work which is not complete but since it was a unanimous decision by all parties it is unlikely. I can't see a scenario which would turn back the clock."

Mr Hall added: "From what some of the councillors have said it seems to me it is not impossible for this to be overturned. It is a scandal. It has gone on for so long, but if the building's there in September, that'll be great.

PROGRESS ON THE FACILITY SO FAR

May 2000: Ofsted inspection says the unit is "unsafe, insecure, very damp and seriously damaged" and says new accommodation is needed as a matter of urgency.

June 2000: The director of education, head of special needs and school staff decide new mobile units would be the best solution.

Nov 2000: The education review sub-committee refers the decision to the education operational management sub-committee (EOMC)

Jan 2001: The EOMC decides a permanent building would be a better long-term solution. A feasibility study is commissioned

July 2001: A study showing a new building would cost £540,000 is decided to be too expensive and an alternative quote of £350,000 is obtained.

October 2001: Parents are told the overall review of special needs provision needs to be completed before any more decisions can be made.

Feb 2002: The present unit is closed by a health and safety officer. Emergency repairs are carried out. Parents set up a campaign group to demand new accommodation.

March 2002: The EOMC decides on a new building for the unit.

April 2, 2002: The policy and resources committee agrees on a decision and starts planning to fund it.