Library campaigners held a protest outside an axed branch while planning officers visited the site to decide on its future on Saturday.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Campaigners challenge a planning officer (Pic credit: Jan Nevill)Campaigners challenge a planning officer (Pic credit: Jan Nevill) (Image: Copyright: Mr. Jan Nevill)

Members of the Friends of Barham Library (FoBL) expressed their concerns over proposals to convert the longstanding library in Sudbury into art studios.

More than 50 people armed with banners calling for the library to be saved attended the peaceful demonstration

Protesters claim the local area cannot afford the loss 301 square more than 75 years ago

Cllr Paul Lorber, FoBL member and leader of the Brent Liberal Democrats, said: “The closure of the local library has hit the local area hard and there is a need for a building that can cater for a wide ranging of activities for the local diverse community.

“Sudbury and Wembley has a growing population and local people need access to the community space available in Barham Park.”

The library was axed alongside Cricklewood, Neasden, Preston, Kensal Rise and Tokyngton branches in a £1million exercise by Brent Council in October 2011.

A council spokesman said: “This is due to go to a planning meeting this week and as a result we cannot comment.”

A decision on the building’s future will be made tomorrow.

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