THERE is some good news for Crediton with the announcement that Crediton Library will not have to share its building with Crediton Children’s Centre.

It was announced today, Friday, October 23, that Cllr Roger Croad, the Devon County Council cabinet member responsible for libraries, had agreed that the council’s plans to reduce the library space to accommodate Crediton Children’s Centre in the same building would now not go ahead.

Crediton Library has the most footfall of any library of its size in the county.

Campaigners against DCC’s plan to half the library space to include Crediton Children’s Centre have been lobbying to prevent it from happening.

The Friends of Crediton Library Group has also opposed the proposal.

Devon County Councillor Nick Way (Crediton Rural), told the “Courier”: “I had a long conversation with the head of Library Services and also contacted Cllr Roger Croad about our concerns and the likely resulting reduction to footfall if the plan went ahead.

“They have at last listened to my views and the comments presented to them at a recent meeting with opponents of the plan.

“I am pleased to say that I have had a message from Cllr Croad who has agreed their plans to reduce the space should not go ahead after all.”

Crediton Children’s Centre recently moved into new premises at Old Hayward’s School, East Street, Crediton, from where it runs a number of services and at the nearby Crediton Fire Station.

The Friends of Crediton Library said it wants to see a lively and viable library in the town and said any cuts in funding or reduction in the size of the building would result in a serious impact on its services, which are enjoyed by many local people.

It is considered good news for the town because it was recently announced that Crediton Police Station would close in 2016/17 and officers relocated to a new and smaller office at another location in the town.

Also, Mid Devon District Council this week announced that from April 1, 2016, it plans to close its Crediton office at the Council offices, Market Street, Crediton.

Alan Quick