Good news: the plan to open a drug-users' centre in St James Street Library has been dropped. Congratulations to all who protested, at the demo outside the closed library, by email or in this week's crowded community council meeting. But don't relax and think it's all over.

The plan has only been shelved for the moment. We don't yet know what Waltham Forest council will put in its place, or if they'll revive the drug-centre idea later. And there's something odd about the council's apparent change of heart.

The drug-centre plan was hatched by the council in secret. It was discovered by an eagle-eyed community activist and revealed by the Waltham Forest Guardian. Who knows when we would have found out about it, otherwise? Like the closure of St James Street Library -- after it had happened?

Like so many sweeping changes in Waltham Forest, the plan was made without any consultation of local residents. It breaches government guidelines, for siting of drug-treatment centres away from schools and residential areas. It's pointless, as there's already a similar drug-treatment centre five minutes' walk away, in more suitable surroundings. And the council has made no commitment to any future consultation.

After the plan was revealed in the Guardian last month, letters and emails have been flooding in to the council. Demonstrators rallied outside the library calling for it to be reopened. Protesters packed into this week's community council meeting. And councillors fell over each other to back off and blame each other for the chaos.

It was a wonderful illustration of what community action can do.

And yet, and yet .... There was just as much protest after the library was closed down in 2007. Thousands signed petitions, emailed, wrote letters and lobbied councillors. St James Street Library Campaign put forward well-thought-out suggestions, such as a shared-use community centre including a library section. Even the Audit Commission criticised Waltham Forest council for failing to carry out legally required consultations or assessments of needs.

But the council have blandly ignored all censure. St James Street Library is still closed. The large area around Coppermill Lane still has no building for use by residents. And the council has made no commitment about bringing the library back into community use.

What was different this time? The plan relied on funding from the health service, through the primary care trust, which has financial problems of its own. Was the funding withdrawn? Are there other secret plans for the building? Or are councillors now getting worried about re-election?

So well done everyone for standing up this time. But keep up the pressure for the building to be reopened for community use. And keep an eye on the news.