THE CAMPAIGN against a cultural centre and nine blocks of flats to replace Willesden Green Library is over after the council gave the development the go-ahead.

The planning committee at Brent Council spent three hours listening to objections and statements of support on Thursday last week for demolishing the library and creating a new library and centre in High Road, Willesden Green, before approving it.

Martin Redston, of the Keep Willesden Green campaign, spoke at the meeting about the loss of public space in the square outside the building.

A number of people spoke and concerns were raised, such as why the scheme, which is being funded through the housing development, included only one and two-bedroom flats and no affordable housing.

Mr Redston said afterwards that the campaign was over and told the Observer: “It may be true that today we don’t need libraries to be as big, but is it right to give the rest to a developer or should it be used for a private function? That is what this all has been about. It is giving away 50 per cent of the land that the library was built on.”

Neighbours and library users also raised concerns about the loss of space for the museum and archive, a loss of car parking spaces, as only four disabled bays are included in the plans, and queries about the floor space for the new library.

The proposals will go to the Greater London Assembly and the secretary of state who need to give their permission before the development can go ahead.

The room at Brent Town Hall was packed with protestors as well as developers and councillors who supported the scheme, including councillors Leslie Jones and Ann Hunter.

Brent Council’s lead member for regeneration and major projects, councillor George Crane, said: “The decision by the planning committee was important for the regeneration of Willesden and the High Road and also demonstrates Brent’s commitment to the delivery of a new library and cultural centre for the south of the borough.

“We aim to give people in the south of the borough access to a wide range of services and create libraries suitable for the 21st century and all at no capital cost to local people. We’ve just taken an important step towards achieving that.”

If consent is given by the higher authorities work could start as early as April this year.

n After a three-hour meeting seven councillors voted in favour of the application and two abstained and two voted against the main proposal.

On the second issue, relating to passing the decision on the conservation area to the Secretary of State, seven voted for and four abstained