Campaign against demolition of library

Campaigners who thought they had won their battle to keep a library in tact say they are having to fight the same proposals all over again - two years on.

They want hundreds of people to gather again on the steps of Halifax Town Hall next month when councillors debate plans to demolish the library at Northgate.

Anne Kirker, coordinator of the Don’t Bulldoze Our Library campaign, said: “We are back where we were in March 2009. Our campaign banner has been dusted off.

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“We urge those 16,000 people who supported our earlier campaign to urge councillors to reject this ill-considered proposal when they debate it on December 7.”

It was the largest petition ever signed in the town and campaigners hoped the battle against the Conservative-backed plans had been won.

Now a Lib Dem and Labour plan will be debated by councillors who will have to decide whether to demolish the library and archive and replace it with a new glass-fronted building near the Piece Hall.

Tory councillors say they are worried about the details of the scheme and the council’s apparent U-turn, having previously promised to retain the library.

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Calderdale’s Cabinet was told it would cost up to £6 million to refurbish the Central Library and archives, and up to £12m to refurbish the nearby council administration block Northgate House.

According to Conservative group leader Coun Stephen Baines a new library and archive would cost almost twice that of restoring the current premises.

“Unfortunately I am not permitted to give details of the costs but would point out that the figures differ from those in a report to the cabinet,” he said.

“Northgate House is in a very poor condition and unsuitable and should be re-developed for much needed retail space that fits the needs of businesses which want to expand into Halifax. But this can be done and a refurbished library kept in its current position,”

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