THE former St James Street Library building will not become a drug treatment centre and is to be sold off.

Council leader Cllr Chris Robbins confirmed the library, in Coppermill Lane, is to be sold off within weeks after continued lobbying from local campaign groups.

He said: "I've asked the chief executive to dispose of the property as quickly as possible."

Cllr Robbins cited community opposition, as well as opposition from ward councillor and cabinet member for children and young people Cllr Liaquat Ali as the main reasons for the decision.

Cllr Robbins, who had previously described the centre as a "wonderful addition" to the area, said: "A facility of that sort needs a welcoming community which we clearly don't have in Coppermill Lane."

However, he was adamant that the drug treatment centre would still go ahead in a different location.

"It's a major issue for the borough," Cllr Robbins said.

"I can't leave those vulnerable people stranded without this facility."

He added that there were comparatively few potential locations for the centre and that the council may have to buy a new building.

Cllr Robbins said: "I want the opposition parties not to play politics with this one so that we can get down to some decision.

"It's going to be very, very difficult and I don't know where there's another property.

"If we have to buy it, it will cost us money we don't have."

Cllr Robbins said officers would be working over the summer to find another solution.

The decision to sell, if it goes ahead, would kill off any hope that the building will be re-opened as a library.

Janet Wright, of the St James Street Library campaign, said: "It is very sad that the new leader of the council, instead of coming up with something useful has shown a complete lack of vision , and a poverty of aspiration for the people of this area.

"It is disappointing that we have a large area with no community facilities of any kind at all.

"I am very, very disappointed but the campaign will continue."