I write following the recent Essex County Council public consultation on their plans for a new Loughton Library including a development of at least 38 flats.

It is very clear from the feedback I have received as a local councillor that opinion in Loughton is strongly opposed to these proposals.

The overwhelming view is that Essex should make up for the chronic underinvestment in the current building, bring it up to scratch and then plan to provide a comprehensive, well resourced, community-based library service from these refurbished premises.

I have spoken to absolutely no one living in Loughton who agrees the right solution is to knock down the existing library, provide a much smaller library and build approximately 38 highly priced flats for sale.

That is why at the last Epping Forest District Council meeting I did my best to persuade its leader, Epping councillor Chris Whitbread, who is also a leading cabinet member at County Hall, to take up this issue.

I am an optimist by nature but throughout this whole consultation process I couldn’t help thinking that this whole scheme is a done deal with Essex County Council, which gives its own planning permission, being absolutely set on providing Loughton with a much smaller library, financed by a further flat development that has very little public support and is in exactly the wrong place near a busy junction and the Epping Forest special area of conservation.

  • Cllr Stephen Murray

Independent councillor for Loughton Roding ward