Crusaders are trying to have building listed

Kensal Rise Library campaigners are trying to have the building listed as part of their latest bid to stop developers turning it into flats.

If it is listed, it would give campaigners the chance to buy the building and temporarily block any sale.

Margaret Bailey, a member of the Friends of Kensal Rise (FOKR) campaign told the Times: “We are trying to get the best offer we can on behalf of this community.”

Under the localism legislation, voluntary and community organisations can nominate an asset to be included in a “list of assets of community value”. The local authority will then be required to maintain this list.

The Victorian site, in Bathurst Gardens, is currently owned by All Souls College in Oxford, who have opted to ignore campaigners’ proposals to run a community library and have announced they are in talks with a developer.

A small space would be given over for library use but FOKR say it is not sufficient.

A spokesman for Brent Council confirmed that they had received an application.

He added: “There is no legal obligation on the owner to sell to a community group, nor to do so at a discounted price and after six months the owner is free to sell to who they choose.

“The council will receive representations from the FOKR and the current owners All Souls College in order to determine if the application meets the requirements of the legislation.”