A HISTORIC library’s status as an ‘asset of community value’ has expired, representing a fresh blow for campaigners battling to save it from closure

Currently the subject of a judicial review, Darlington’s Grade II listed Crown Street Library is earmarked for closure as part of a £12.5m programme of swingeing budget cuts.

Unless a legal challenge mounted by campaigners is successful, proposals to cut and change library services will result in the much-loved library and community hub closing its doors forever while the majority of its resources are moved to the nearby Dolphin Centre leisure facility.

Under national legislation, the library was designated an asset of community value in 2013 following a successful application by arts collective Darlington for Culture who, as a result, were granted the right to bid for the property should it be offered for sale.

However, after a five-year fixed period that status expired at the end of March and Darlington Borough Council has not yet received any nomination to relist the building.

The development has caused concern with members of the Friends of Darlington Library who had hoped that DfC would renew their application.

Jo Potter, chair of DfC, told The Northern Echo that the organisation had no plans to do so and that it did not have the capacity to bid to buy the building.

He added: “Like everybody else, we are awaiting the outcome of the judicial review.

“It is possible that the Friends of Darlington Library could apply and it would be more likely for them to do it than us.

“We retain an interest in what will happen to Crown Street and if appropriate, we will make representations to the council about its future.”

Paul Howell, of the Friends of Darlington Library, said: “It’s a worry when a status like this is taken away as it represents another level of protection that could be of potential use to our campaign.

“We want to get that status back as that building is obviously a community asset and it should be used for the purpose it was designed for, for public use as a library.

“If DfC choose not to apply, it would be the natural thing for us to do.”

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council said the pending closure of the library did not affect the process, adding: “If a nomination was made in respect of the library, it would be considered in the same way as any other.”

If an asset is listed as of community value and is put up for sale, communities are given six months to put together a bid to buy it, during which the landowner cannot sell the land. However, owners are not bound to sell such assets to a community group.

According to darlington.gov.uk, “a building or land in Darlington Borough Council’s area will be listed as an asset of community value if in the opinion of the council: the current primary use of the building/land furthers the social well-being or social interests of the local community and it is realistic to think that there could continue to be primary use of the building/land which will further the social well-being or social interest of the local community (whether or not in the same way as it is currently used).

Or, the land/building is not currently land of community value but in the recent past, the primary use of it was to further the social well-being or social interests of the local community and it is realistic to think that in the next five years there could be primary use of the it which will further the social well-being or social interests of the local community, whether or not in the same way as before.