Haggling over library land

NEGOTIATIONS are taking place for the purchase of property to the rear of Carnlough library.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Dec 2011, 23:48 BST

Larne Borough Council, which owns the building in which the library is situated, is seeking to buy the additional land.

The District Valuer set a price of £2,000 for the site. However, the vendor sought to include a restrictive covenant which would have meant if the council bought and subsequently sold the land, the vendor would be entitled to some benefit.

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Minutes of a confidential discussion at Smiley Buildings report that the vendor then offered to sell for £10,000 plus legal fees. The council agreed to offer £6,000 plus fees, with no restrictive clauses attached.

The library in Carnlough was recently granted a one-year reprieve after being earmarked for closure. The branch has been identified as a hub in the new village plan and there are proposals for additional features that would make the library more sustainable.

The council has attracted Regional Development fund support for the project.