Julia Lopez MP has made fresh representations to the new Leader of Havering Council, Cllr Keith Prince, calling on him to reopen discussions with the Harold Wood Foundation about the future of Harold Wood Library.
Mrs Lopez has been campaigning with local residents to save Harold Wood Library since Havering Council first announced plans to close it in 2024.
The library has since closed, despite concerns from residents that Harold Wood is under-served for community buildings and that more could have been done to keep a library and community space on the site.
In March, Mrs Lopez wrote to the previous Leader of Havering Council, Cllr Ray Morgon, urging the Council to work with the Harold Wood Foundation. The Foundation has put forward proposals to reopen the building as a library and community space.
However, discussions between the Foundation and the previous administration stalled before the local elections. Mrs Lopez understands that, while a lease had been agreed in principle, the rent being asked of the Foundation was too high for a charitable community group.
The library building is now sitting empty and costing the Council money to keep secure, despite being listed as an Asset of Community Value.
Mrs Lopez has now written to Cllr Prince, asking him to make reopening discussions with the Harold Wood Foundation one of his first acts as Leader.
Before the local elections, Cllr Prince campaigned to protect local libraries and community spaces. He also spoke in the Council Chamber in favour of retaining Harold Wood Library and continuing talks with the Harold Wood Foundation.
Commenting, Julia Lopez MP said:
“Since Havering Council first announced plans to shut Harold Wood Library in 2024, I have worked with an amazing group of local residents who have been campaigning to save it.
“Harold Wood is under-served for community buildings, and Havering Council has lacked imagination in putting forward plans that could keep a library and community space on the site.
“Back in March, I wrote to the previous Leader of Havering Council, Cllr Ray Morgon, urging the Council to work with the Harold Wood Foundation, who have put forward serious proposals to reopen the building as a library and community space.
“Sadly, those discussions stalled before the local elections, with the rent being asked of the Foundation far too high for a charitable community group.
“The building is now sitting empty, costing the Council money to keep secure, despite being listed as an Asset of Community Value.
“I have now made representations to the new Leader of Havering Council, Cllr Keith Prince, asking him to make reopening discussions with the Harold Wood Foundation one of his first acts as Leader."
