CAMPAIGNERS have cautiously welcomed a ‘hugely encouraging’ move to set aside a decision to close Darlington’s Crown Street Library.

Yesterday, the town’s council announced plans to postpone the closure of the library and the transfer of its resources to the Dolphin Centre.

The threat of a judicial review and land ownership issues prompted the decision, expected to be approved by Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet next Tuesday.

DBC’s cabinet – now recognised as the sole corporate trustee of Crown Street Library - is expected to make a fresh decision within three months.

However, chief executive Ada Burns said proposals to move library services to the Dolphin Centre remained the authority's preferred plan.

She maintained it was the correct decision to delay the scheme and avert the expense of a looming legal challenge.

Ms Burns said previous consultation would be considered before a new decision and said the council would then be prepared to rebuff any judicial review.

Ms Burns said the authority had worked from last September until August to fully understand what it needed to do.

She said: “We finally understand the issues around the building because of the amount of effort we’ve made to find details and inquiries that have been carried out.

“We were always clear with members that there might need to be a different process followed once we finally nailed it.”

Lawyer Michael Imperato, appointed by campaigners to issue a legal challenge in relation to the library, said he was pleased the council had withdrawn its closure decision.

However, he believes another legal challenge will inevitably follow the postponement.

He said: “DBC say they were confident that they had grounds to defend the potential legal challenge but I am confident that we identified a number of flaws in the decision making process.

“Clearly there was sufficient concern amongst the council not to have our points tested in the courts.”

The Friends of Crown Street Library and Darlington for Culture welcomed the council’s announcement.

DfC’s chair John Dean, said it was encouraging and a “great tribute to the thousands who fought so hard to save our libraries”.

He urged the council to cooperate more and work together with the community going forward while fellow campaigner Peter Cuthbertson, former Parliamentary candidate for Darlington, said campaigners must not give up.

He said: “Everyone involved should feel very proud but this is not the end - it’s up to us to take the next steps.”