Concerns have been raised that an alcohol and drug misuse treatment organisation could take over a historic library building.
Red Rose Recovery has submitted an expression of interest with Lancashire County Council (LCC) to take over the Oswaldtwistle library building, which was closed in September .
LCC has confirmed that Red Rose Recovery, which works with people in recovery from addiction to alcohol and substance misuse, is among bidders - although the nature of the bid has not been confirmed.
Rival community campaign group LAMP is also interested in the building, which celebrated its centenary last year, and want to keep it as a library.
Wendy Sanderson, a member of LAMP, said they only found out about Red Rose Recovery’s interest after a recent meeting with LCC officers.
Speaking at an Oswaldtwistle area forum meeting, she said: “I think we are going to have a fight on our hands.
“The point is they (provide) rehabilitation for drink and drugs and the impression we got is they (LCC) were asking was there a way we could work with them in the library building. I don’t know how other people feel but if you’ve got young children and adults going into a library then to me it doesn’t work that you mix it with drugs and drink.”
Oswaldtwistle and Clayton libraries were mothballed at the end of September as part of county hall funding cuts while LCC considers expressions of interest in transferring them to community hands.
Coun Peter Britcliffe said it would be a ‘totally inappropriate use’ of the library building.
He told the meeting: “Is that an appropriate place in the centre of Union Road for that type of establishment?
“That is a totally inappropriate use of that building right in the centre of town, especially as you have a bid for a library in the same style.
“I know people have to be treated, I accept that, but I think you have to look very carefully that they are in appropriate sites.
“We had big battles in Accrington when Inspire wanted to go into the old doctor’s surgery on Avenue Parade.
“Eventually they finished up in what we call the old ‘cardboard castle’ near Tesco, where there isn’t a lot of housing.”
LCC confirmed that Red Rose Recovery and Oswaldtwistle Lamp Community Group had both registered expressions of interest in Oswaldtwistle library.
County Coun David Borrow said: “I’m very grateful for all the interest people have shown in using these buildings for their community.
“In line with our community asset transfer policy, we need to ensure that proposals to take on these buildings are sustainable, and also that the business case adds up for the council and wider community in relation to these valuable assets.
“This means we will also consider the capital value of buildings when considering whether community asset transfer is appropriate.”
Red Rose Recovery declined to comment.
