Sian Berry visited the site in Ladbroke Grove on April 26, where she hit out at Kensington and Chelsea Council’s plans to lease the Grade II listed building to a private school as she launched her dedicated manifesto for central and north west London.
It would replace the existing library, which has been running for 125 year, which will be leased for 25 years to Notting Hill Prep School.
The council has vehemently denied accusations of asset-stripping , and in a public letter leader Nick Paget-Brown argued the “council not only looks after its valuable community assets but invests millions of pounds into making sure they are first class”.
But some locals remain upset with the move. They are angry that the council has not consulted the public on its plans and say it should remain in public use.
Sian Berry, Green Party candidate for next month's London Mayoral elections, signs a petition outside North Kensington Library calling on it to remain in public use
Speaking at the library, Ms Berry agreed. She said: “Another library is planned but the community have been given no opportunity to discuss the closure of this loved and historic building nor to develop other ideas about how it can be used for the community if the library is shifted.”
A protest was held outside the library on April 18. Among its organisers was Jennifer Nadel, who is the Green Party Greater London Authority (GLA) candidate for the West Central London Assembly constituency, which includes Kensington and Chelsea.
She had accused the council of asset-stripping and said: “There is an incredibly strong feeling of outrage in the community that such an important and historic building could be shifted from public to private use without the people who use it and value it being consulted and given a say.
"We are demanding that the council call the plan in and consult the community.”
'Almost laughable'
North Kensington Library
Last week, the council said a formal consultation is due to begin shortly, and this week, in his letter, Cllr Paget-Brown defended Conservative administration’s record.
He said: “ The Green Party candidate, who is co-organising the misguided protests about North Kensington Library, is so wide of the mark in her assessment of our care for and commitment to community spaces and facilities that it is almost laughable.
“I think most parents and pupils of the new Kensington Aldridge Academy, or users of the new Kensington Leisure Centre would attest that this Council not only looks after its valuable community assets but invests millions of pounds into making sure they are first class.
“Anyone who passes a library and sees angry people with placards will almost certainly think there goes another public library. But as we know in this case nothing could be further from the truth.
"Not only have all our libraries remained open in a time of financial crisis but we’re building a bigger, better one for North Kensington, just across the road from the present building. It will have full access for people with disabilities and part of the development will include improved facilities for young people.
“I’d call that a very positive investment for the community.”
