Judge gives permission to campaigners for judicial review over library closure

King J heard local campaigners’ case against the closure of Darlington’s Crown Street library and other service changes and their contention that the council’s consultation had been flawed.

The council proposes to move the central library into the town’s Dolphin Centre.

A council spokesman said: “It needs to be kept in mind that this was a preliminary hearing about whether the case should be allowed to proceed further.

“The judge has given permission for the case to proceed to a full hearing, which will allow detailed consideration of the issues raised by the claimant and the response of council. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”

Mark Smulian