Library redevelopment plan for better site, hall and loos 24/01/11
WEST Barnes Library could be rebuilt to provide improved facilities, more space, a community hall and public toilets.
Merton Council will conduct a public consultation with residents and businesses on proposals for the site, which is next to Motspur Park Station, from Monday, 30 January, for eight weeks. The plans will be available in all Merton libraries.
The scheme would be similar to the Raynes Park Library mixed-use redevelopment and include homes on the upper floors.
West Barnes Library is one of more than 30 potential development plans for council-owned sites including two other libraries in the borough, Wimbledon and Mitcham.
The council has published a comprehensive list of possible schemes as part of its plans to strengthen the borough’s long-term prosperity and financial resilience.
It is keen to hear the views of residents and businesses about the proposals as to how the sites could be used in the future. The council also wants to hear about any alternative suggestions they may have.
Community support
West Barnes Library has been the focus of community support in Motspur Park and the surrounding area over the past 18 months, when fears of possible closure sparked a series of public meetings.
There was standing room only on 18 January, 2011, when more than 240 library supporters – and one dissenter – filled the single-storey building in Station Road to discover the fate of their library.
The emotional outpouring of support led directly to the creation of the Friends of West Barnes Library, which since 4 July, 2011, has ensured the library remains open five days a week. On that date the council withdrew staff on Mondays, but a team of dozens of volunteers have been taking turns each week to fill the void.
Adaptable space
The library is presently housed in a single-storey building tucked away behind Motspur Park Station. The site is constrained to the west by the railway lines, while to the east there is a two-to-three-storey business block, Saipem House, partially overhanging the library site.
The council’s proposals suggest a delivery timetable of 2013-18 for the new library, which would have improved service specifications including space for a new community hall, with increased customer floor area and a more adaptable, modern space, and residential use on upper floors. The outline plans state the design of any proposals would need to be sensitive to the railway line.
They also warn that the critical drainage area is known to flood during very heavy rainfall.
Democratic process
The council stresses that the suggested changes to site uses are proposals at this stage, with any eventual redevelopment schemes having to go through the usual democratic process and stringent planning process.
The specification for any potential redevelopment for West Barnes Library puts down a marker for a new improved library presence, which would be bigger in space than the current site and would include a community hall facility and public toilets built to service specifications.
Merton Council has emphasised that it is looking to work with local Friends groups and Residents Associations in the design and implementation of a new library presence and is keen to hear residents views.
Any group or organisation that would like to ask questions on the council’s Sites and Policies Development Plan Document (DPD) are invited to contact: 020 8545 4141 / 020 8545 3837 or ldf@merton.gov.uk or via Merton's website.
The proposals will be available to view in all Merton libraries, including West Barnes, from Monday, 30 January, until Friday, 23 March, 2012.
External links:
Sites and Policies development Plan Document
Proposals for West Barnes
Library site
West Barnes Library
Friends of West Barnes Library
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Now: The present single-storey building
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