A local studies archive containing information on Enfield’s history will be moved into the same building as the council’s head offices.

Councillors confirmed the local studies archive will be relocated to the ground floor of the Civic Centre in Silver Street, Enfield Town.

The local studies library and archive is currently based on the first floor of the Dugdale Centre at Thomas Hardy House.

But the council’s decision to move its children and family services staff to the building meant it had to find a new home for the archive, which was confirmed at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Cabinet member for finance and procurement Cllr Mary Maguire told the meeting: “There have been a lot of questions about the local studies and archive that is currently located at Thomas Hardy House.

“That will now be relocated to the Civic Centre, and plans for the reception area, ground floor, will underline the importance of Enfield’s heritage, where the archives will be based.

“There will be a reading room located on the ground floor, and it will become more of a cultural and heritage hub there.”

The local studies library and archive contains historical documents dating back to the 13th Century.

It includes biographies of famous people, journals, local newspapers, maps, pamphlets and photographs.

When the council’s plans to create office space at the Dugdale Centre were revealed, more than 2,000 people signed a petition against them.

But Cllr Rick Jewell defended the plans, saying they would deliver on a recommendation made by Ofsted that the most effective way of delivering a high-quality children’s service was through a hub model.

The plans for the children’s services hub form part of the ‘build the change’ programme, which is designed to move staff into town centres and allow the council to work from “fewer but better-equipped buildings”.

A planning application to convert part of the building to office space has been submitted, and construction work is expected to start in October.