Campaigners have stopped Gloucestershire CC from proceeding with planned cuts to its library service.

Public Interest Lawyers (PIL) obtained the High Court judgement, which could set a precedent to challenge library closures across the country, as part of the judicial review brought on behalf of a Gloucestershire’s library user.

Under plans to make £114m budget cuts over four years, the council’s cabinet agreed in February to reduce the number of libraries with full hours from 38 to nine, turn 11 libraries into express facilities, and withdraw funding for 10, which would be offered to community groups to run on peppercorn rates. The mobile library service, which issues 100,000 books a year, was also due for decommissioning soon.

Under the terms of the injunction, which is effective immediately, the council is not only prevented from closing any library, but also withdrawing funding, selling or leasing any library building, or transferring any related assets.

Phil Shiner of PIL said: ‘The High Court has stopped Gloucestershire CC’s library cuts in their tracks today. It cannot proceed with closures, and must continue to fund libraries, until the legality of these cuts has been properly decided by the court.’

The council will challenge the decision on 7 July. Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Conservative leader of Gloucester CC, said the decision was ‘very frustrating for council taxpayers and community groups.

‘They are being forced into a costly legal process at a time when 20 communities have stepped forward with innovative and exciting business plans to take over their local facility,’ Cllr Hawthorne said.

The ruling against the council’s spending review service reductions follows the judgement made in May against Birmingham City Council’s social services department. The families of four disabled residents went to court concerned that care and support needs would no longer be met under the council’s new plans.