TORY councillors have reacted with fury to the news Bexley Council hopes to build flats on a former library site.

A planning application has been lodged for the former Barnehurst Library site, in Mayplace Road East, to build five two-bedroom flats with parking.

More than 2,500 people signed a petition against the ruling Labour's group's plan to close the library as part of its library strategy for the borough.

The council says the library had only around 50 regular borrowers.

It added the building needed massive investment because of an underground stream running below it.

Ward councillor Simon Windle said: "It seems strange now measures can be found which can deal with this issue to allow construction for residential use."

Ward colleague Councillor Richard Gillespie added: "Is it really too cynical to believe the Labour council planned to sell this site all along to fund their plans?"