THE COUNCIL is backtracking over its plan to close a library after thousands support a campaign to save it.

In a “mysteriously” published report, the council announced it would “defer” its plan to relocate Hale End Library, in The Avenue, Highams Park.

According to cllr Sharon Waldron, the council is delaying its decision due to “rumours and confusion” surrounding the unpopular plans.

The council was planning to move Hale End Library, in The Avenue, Highams Park to smaller premises in Signal Walk, near the Tesco superstore.

More than 5,000 people signed online and paper petitions in opposition to the plans, with a further 1,100 people joining a Save Highams Park Library Facebook group.

A council spokesperson said cllr Waldron’s claim of “rumours and confusion” is in regard to “wrong information” about the library’s usage levels.

They added: “Our footfall figures count every physical access to the library, not just borrowing books.

“Book issues, computer usage, WiFi usage and footfall are all counted.”

“We’re proposing to defer the Hale End element for up to a year so the remaining parts of the improvement proposal can be consulted on in a detailed and meaningful way.”

Conservative cllr Sheree Rackham, of Highams Park ward, said no “councillors were informed” before the council “mysteriously” released a press release outlining its decision.

She added: “Apparently the library decision has been deferred, what this actually means needs to be investigated.

“I hope that this council will see sense and listen to its residents and keep the library where it is.”

The local Conservative Party has now "called in" the cabinet’s decision to approve ‘in principle’ the relocation of Hale End Library.

This means the decision will be discussed by the Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Committee, which can recommend the council reviews its decision, at its meeting on Wednesday (August 3).

Campaign organiser, Hanna Chalmers, said she was “absolutely delighted” with the council’s decision.

She added: “In this time of cuts to local authority services we understand the tough decisions that councils are having to make.

“But losing our much-loved library and community hub was never going to be the right answer.”

The Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Committee meeting starts at 7.30pm in Walthamstow Town Hall and the public is welcome to attend.