A DECISION on whether to convert a former library into a drug treatment centre has been delayed.

Labour councillors were expected to push through the plan for the former St James Street library in Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow, at a cabinet meeting next Thursday (June 25).

But the item has now been removed from the agenda.

The Liberal Democrat group claim it has forced a rethink on the plan, which is strongly opposed by campaigners.

But council leader Chris Robbins insists the decision has been delayed to make the cabinet’s agenda more manageable and proposals will be considered at a meeting next month.

He said: “There is nothing sinister about this, it's just that there is a lot of work to do.

“I also wanted to check that there are no other suitable sites for a drug treatment centre - and there aren't any.”

High Street Lib Dem Cllr James O'Rourke said: “I hope the delaying of the report will enable those behind the proposal to go away and reconsider plans for the location of the Drug Action Team centre.”

A recent report found a lack of drug treatment facilities in Waltham Forest has contributed to an increase in burglaries and Cllr Robbins insists the former library is an appropriate site.

But his Lib Dem cabinet colleagues and campaigners insist placing the Drug Action Team close to schools and homes is inappropriate.

Next Thursday's cabinet meeting is likely to include a number of other important decisions, including the approval of the authority's capital programme and an item about the temporary use of the Arcade site.