Gosport council working to save Lee-on-the-Solent Library

Lee-on-the-Solent library is one of eight libraries that are set to be closed by Hampshire County Council, following a consultation earlier this year.

Elson, Lee-on-the-Solent, Horndean, Fair Oak, Blackfield, Lyndhurst, Odiham and South Ham will be shut on January 1 in a bid to save £1.76m.

Ahead of the council’s announcement, a consortium between the Lee Residents Association, Lee Business Association and Cllr Graham Burgess began developing plans to try and save the library.

On Friday, July 31, they met with the leader of Gosport Borough Council, Cllr Mark Hook – and the council could soon take matters into its own hands.

Cllr Burgess said: ‘Cllr Hook is now looking to access whether the library building could be transferred to Gosport.

‘The building itself is in a very good state of repair. It lends itself to be able to be used by all the local groups for meetings.

‘The group also asked for the running costs and also details of any income received.

‘All agreed that there is a way forward and we are looking for volunteers who may be able to assist in any way to help us maintain a library in Lee-on-the-Solent.’

It is hoped the library could be reopened in February 2021.

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