Victory! Church Stretton claims to have won battle with Shropshire Council to move library

The latest development comes as campaigners in Church Stretton claimed victory in their battle with Shropshire Council to halt plans to move the library into a school.

Church Stretton Library Support Group was seeking to prevent the relocation of the town's library, and had attempted to challenge the move by applying for a judicial review.

But proceedings were called off before they could begin at Birmingham's High Court on Tuesday.

Michael Imperato, a solicitor acting for the support group, said they were now in discussions with the council to reach an agreement over the library's future.

Felicity Thomas, Church Stretton Library Support Group campaigner, said she was pleased that the case had not gone before the court.

She said: "We are delighted that Shropshire Council has decided not to defend its earlier decision to relocate the library, thus saving taxpayers the cost of having the case proceed."

Shropshire Council's leader, Councillor Malcolm Pate, said: "It is not a case of winning or losing, it is more complicated than that."

Mr Imperato said: "We are working with the council and its lawyers now to reach a final agreement following their acknowledgement yesterday that the decision should be quashed.

"There are a few fine details still to agree with the council as to how any future decisions on the library might be considered.

"It is a great result for residents as it now means that they can still access the free library service easily.

"This is an important legal victory as the council conceded it had not properly fulfilled its statutory duties. It is an example of how local campaigners can use the law to save and preserve important local services."