Council to discuss demolishing library
Plans to demolish and redevelop the Topsham library building are due to be discussed by Exeter City Coucnil’s planning committee next week.
The proposals submitted by the Estuary League of Friends (ELoF) seek full planning permission to demolish the existing building and replace it with a 2-storey contemporary building to act as a community hub facility.
The discussion of the plans come as Devon County Council begin consultation on the future of its library services.
This consultation could see over half of its smaller libraries, including Topsham library, closed unless community volunteers such as ELoF step in to take over the day-to-day running of the service.
The new building would include a replacement library space but also have a community hall style meeting space and offices for ELoF.
The council has received over 100 letters of objection to the proposals and several comments including arguments that the space allocated for library use is insufficient and the impact the new services would have on local traffic systems.
These issues are mentioned in a report for the committee available on the council’s website, the report states: “There is no denying that an expansion of activity on the site could lead to increased traffic generation, and the limited availability of parking facilities in Topsham is well known.
“However, it should be noted that the site is also well located in terms of sustainability. The site is very close to the High St and therefore is accessible by bus routes that pass nearby the site. There is also a train station within walking distance.”
Other objections also include concerns that voluntary library provision not sustainable due to the lack of skilled library staff.
56 letters of support have been written to the council also many praising the role of the ELoF in support and highlighting the Importance of a venue for people to gather for social and emotional support
In an letter to the planning committee, Ciara Eastell, the County Head of Libraries, Culture and Heritage writes: “Devon County Council's Library Service is in ongoing discussion with the Estuary League of Friends regarding this initiative.
“A new building would provide a broader and growing range of services and facilities for the wider community which cannot easily be accommodated within the charity's existing premises;
“ it could meet the needs of Topsham’s community, particularly in relation to a growing elderly population and it could help sustain a library service available to everyone in the community at a time when the library service budget is under significant pressure.
“The existing library is of poor quality and is not able to provide the wider range of services expected of a 21st century library service. We have discussed with the ELoF the space they propose for the provision of a library service and we are confident that this will offer a more attractive and modern space for the provision of library services.
“In addition, by providing a wider range of services within the same building, including meeting space, wi-fi and café/community kitchen, we anticipate that there is significant potential to attract more people to use the library who have never used it in its existing premises.”
Some concerns have also been raised over the appropriateness of the ELoF using the building as an office base and meeting place.
The report notes that the charity which provides a rnage of independent living and community outreach services has seen a 40% increase in its workload in the past 12 months placing a great deal of pressure on its current accommodation.
The Charity has been searching for alternative premises for a significant period of time and belives this is an opportunity to combine its activities with future provision of library services in the form of a purpose built 'community hub' facility on the site of the current library.
Councillors will discuss plans in full at the council’s planning committee on Monday 14th April.
