The council says it is pressing ahead with plans to refurbish a former Enfield library after concerns were raised about its condition.

Enfield Highway Carnegie Library building, in Hertford Road, has been standing empty for more than two years after book lending moved to a new site across the road in 2017.

Conservative leader Cllr Joanne Laban said the library building, which opened in 1910, was looking “unloved and a blight on the high street” – and blamed the council for its poor condition.

In January, cabinet members announced plans to move the Integrated Learning Disabilities Services (ILDS) from St Andrews Court to a new home in the library building.

But Cllr Laban claimed the process of moving the service had not yet begun – even though she had been assured by council officers that the building was “urgently needed” at a scrutiny meeting in February.

The Conservative leader said: “The site has rubbish all over it and a dumped mattress, with screening out the front.

“I understand that there have been break-ins as well.

“It’s a sorry state of affairs. The library is on a high street and needs to be looked after urgently.

“The building currently looks unloved and a blight on the high street all thanks to Enfield Council.”

But a council spokesperson said refurbishment plans for the library building were being drawn up ahead of the ILDS move.

The spokesperson said: “The council is planning to relocate ILDS to the old Carnegie library building at Enfield Highway.

“Capital funding has been approved by cabinet for the renovation project, which will make the building fit for purpose.

“Detailed specifications for the refurbishment are currently being drawn up, prior to procurement of a contractor and construction works starting. The building will remain vacant and secured until that time.

“The public has told the council that they wanted Enfield Highway Library to be used as a health facility and we are responding to that.”

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