LEGAL moves to overturn Wirral Council’s controversial scheme to close libraries have moved a step closer with the formal application to have a judicial review of the plans.

Wirral solicitor and independent councillor David Kirwan has been spearheading the legal challenge to the plans and said he has been told by a leading barrister the challenge has a “greater than 80%” chance of success.

Wirral Council has confirmed that its Strategic Asset Review (SAR) will see the first of 11 libraries close this week, with the final closures due in July.

Initially, the SAR had recommended that Bromborough closes and Eastham remains – a major point of recent protests – along with the proposed closure of Woodchurch Leisure Centre and Guinea Gap Baths. Community centres and museums are intended to be transferred to the ownership and management of community groups, and it is expected the SAR will result in savings of more than £3m for the authority.

Council leader Steve Foulkes said consultation meetings across the borough had persuaded them to make changes retaining the two leisure centres and closing Eastham library instead of Bromborough.

But David Kirwan has now launched the legal action, claiming the “council consistently failed to carry out the required consultation” and has written to the authority detailing the legal action. The letter addressed to Wirral Council’s chief executive, Steve Maddox, goes on to accuse the council of failing to take into account the financial implications of the SAR and, particularly, the cost of replacement facilities.

The council has been given a deadline of 4pm tomorrow to confirm if it intends to oppose.