A CAMPAIGN against turning a former library into flats is building support.
The Kensal Green ward branch of the Labour party have voted to support the campaign against Kensal Rise Library being redeveloped into flats.
Mike Phipps, chair of the Kensal Green branch, said: “Kensal Green Labour Party branch has from the outset supported the campaign to keep Kensal Rise Library and continues to support the campaign in its efforts to secure a viable space for a community library on the site.”
The building, in Bathurst Gardens, has not been used as a library since Brent Council closed six of the borough’s libraries in October 2011, but there has been a volunteer-led service outside since then.
After it closed, possession reverted to the owners of the building, All Soul’s College, Oxford, and it has since been sold to a property developer who plans to turn the building into flats.
Caroline Bottomley, of the library campaign, said: “It is very important local people and local groups express their opposition to this move. Attempts are being made to sell off our library to make profit by converting it into luxury flats, but together we can stop this and protect our library building. The local support has been tremendous and shows how united this community is against the sale of this community asset.”
Library campaigners are collecting signatures for a petition opposing change of use from community to residential to present to the planning committee of the council.
They are also appealing for local people to complete an online survey which gives an opportunity for the community to express their views about the protection of the library as a public space.
The online survey is available at http://bit.ly/18EgUbF.
