Library building sell-off is 'lazy option' - MP

Plans to sell off a library building in Folkestone have been branded "a mistake and a lazy option" by the Kent town's MP.

Councillors will be asked to endorse proposals to continue library services at a temporary site and sell off the historic Grace Hill building on Tuesday.

Labour MP Tony Vaughan claimed a decision had been taken by the Reform-led council not to work with a community campaign that could have brought the building back into use as a library and would have allowed further fundraising.

Papers submitted to the meeting said: "The council does not have sufficient detail to accept Creative Folkestone's proposal for a joint partnership approach despite best endeavours."

A Kent County Council spokeswoman said no decision had been made yet.

The MP said the Save Folkestone Library Campaign and Creative Folkestone had together put together a proposal which would have allowed funding bids to be submitted to bring the library back into use.

Writing on Facebook, he said he was "livid" and urged people to sign a petition to save the "cherished" Grade II-listed building.

He said the building closed in 2022 on health and safety grounds, but the community-led proposal could have restored Grace Hill as a hub combining library services with space for education, creative industries and community events.

Creative Folkestone said the building first opened in 1888, built on "a strong tradition of community learning".

It said the building had been extended with funds from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1910.

A report to the growth, environment and transport cabinet committee meeting concluded library services could be provided at Sandgate Road, a former Debenhams store in Folkestone.

It said there was "no sufficiently certain option" for retaining the building after a process where the council was required to give community organisations the first opportunity to buy the property, because it is a designated "asset of community value".

The report's conclusions said that open market disposal of the building would take place in 2025-26.

The committee has been asked to consider and endorse the plans or to make further recommendations.

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