Campaigners are continuing to try to protect a library as plans for a community hub on the site loom.

As part of Redbridge Council’s local plan, the Gants Hill library site has been earmarked to become a community hub.

Council services, the library, doctors surgeries and police stations will be centralised on one easy-to-access site, which the council hopes will save money.

But many want Gants Hill library and its adjacent car park to remain as they are.

More than 100 people including Labour and Conservative councillors and London Assembly member Keith Prince attended a two-hour public meeting last week.

Organiser and chairman Kartik Parekh was pleased with the way the meeting went.

He said: “There were notable contributions from all the panel members and excellent engagement from the residents.

“The residents not only shared their concerns but also poured out their emotions.”

He added: “I believe that it was important that the all members of the panel heard first hand the feelings of residents and were compelled to answer some very tough questions.

“It is very different when councillors responsible for the proposals have to look the residents in the eye and respond.”

Last month, Conservatives drew attention to the 261 homes earmarked as part of the local plan for Barkingside ward, the area Gants Hill library sits in.

Tories claimed these 261 homes could be built on the Gants Hill library site, sparking concern among residents.

But council leader Cllr Jas Athwal put paid to the rumours, stating there are no plans to build these homes on the library site.

He slammed the Conservatives as “irresponsible” and “negligent” for spreading false information on the issue.

The council plans to hold a consultation on the community hub plans for the Gants Hill library site in June this year where formal feedback can be given by members of the public.