A CRUCIAL application to remodel a leisure centre in Darlington to accommodate 62,000 library books, DVDs and audiobooks has been withdrawn by the council.

Darlington Borough Council submitted planning applications to part-demolish and make extensive alterations to the Dolphin Centre in order to make way for the relocation of the contents of Crown Street Library.

However, official proposals submitted earlier this month by the authority’s director of resources, Paul Wildsmith, were withdrawn for “further consideration” on Friday, August 26.

The applications have been removed following a delegated decision taken by planning officers to re-assess the current plans.

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said: “Design plans and details are still developing and the planning application was withdrawn to enable further consideration.”

The disruption to the planning schedule comes after an official legal challenge was issued to the authority in a fresh bid to save the Grade II listed library from closure and the loss of around 35 members of staff.

Councillors agreed in June to relocate library resources to the Dolphin Centre, however Michael Imperato, of Watkins and Gunn solicitors, challenged the council over the decision on the grounds that it was taken without due process or proper consultation.

A council response deadline to this challenge has since been pushed back.

Former Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner candidate, Peter Cuthbertson, contacted Mr Imperato for legal support over the contentious plan.

Mr Cuthbertson said: “The council had until Friday, August 26, to reply to our letter of claim of two weeks earlier.

“They haven't replied yet, arguing that August made it too difficult.

“They are now committed to replying by Tuesday, September 6. We'll know more then.”

Thousands of library users backed The Northern Echo’s campaign to save the Crown Street service that has been a part of the town centre since 1885.

However Darlington for Culture (DfC) members have reacted to the application withdrawal with caution and expressed their hopes for the future.

Speaking on behalf of the group, John Dean, chair of DfC, said: “From Darlington for Culture’s point of view, all the people who worked so hard to save the library need to be fully informed of what’s happening really.

“If there are changes being made, then we need to know.”