Muswell Hill: Row erupts over plans to move library to 'dark and oppressive pub'

Library row: Residents believe councillors are dismissing their concerns
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Lizzie Edmonds @lizzieedmo18 November 2016

The head of a group campaigning for a London library to stay in its historic home today raised concerns that councillors are ignoring public opinion.

Friends of Muswell Hill Library oppose proposals to move it from a Grade II listed building in Queens Avenue to the site of the Green Man pub, which they say is “a dark, oppressive space with low ceilings” under new flats.

Last week, results of a public consultation revealed that 71 per cent of the 1,282 people who responded wanted the library to remain.

Just 29 per cent backed moving it to the pub site.

But George Danker, 25, who heads the Friends of Muswell Hill Library, said the council was still considering the Green Man site. “It shows that they are not acting consistently with democracy.

"That option should be completely off the table now,” he added.

The group says making the old library building accessible for disabled people could cost £60,000; the council has been told it would be £600,000.

A council spokesman said: “We are listening to residents who clearly want to see the library building in Muswell Hill protected for the community. We will look more closely at all available options for the building before making a final decision next spring.”

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