THE Chingford branch of council advice centre, which residents hope to re-open as a community library, could be sold off, according to the council.

The Waltham Forest Direct office in Chingford Mount Road will close to cut costs.

But the building was set to be used as a volunteer-led replacement for South Chingford Library, which is also earmarked for closure.

The council has a long-term lease on the privately-owned building, but its future is uncertain after the council claimed it was up for sale.

Cllr Afzal Akram, Labour cabinet member for business, said: "The Chingford site is currently on the market, though we are examining all of our options for this site too.”

However, Conservative leader Matt Davis insisted the building was not for sale and said he remains confident that a community library can be established there.

Cllr Davis added: “That building has been earmarked for a community library and all we need now are the volunteers.”

Richard Ashen, 64, Coningsby Gardens, who has signed up to volunteer, said: “If the building is on sale, that is very different to what I have been told and that would not be very good.

“We got the impression that council is in favour of this idea but perhaps they are not.

“If that is the case then we are not being treated very fairly.”

A Waltham Forest Direct branch in Leyton closed on August 12, while a Leytonstone branch will shut on August 31 as part of cost-cutting measures.

The council is set to continue to occupy the buildings.

The Guardian is awaiting clarification on the future of the Chingford Waltham Forest Direct branch from the council.

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