As part of feasibility work to assess whether it is viable to relocate Beckenham Library into the Public Halls in Beckenham town, public engagement is now underway
Interested residents and groups are encouraged to complete the online survey so that their views are included in the feasibility study. The feasibility work also includes assessing the potential for new housing on the existing library site, with the engagement including this proposal.
Councillor Peter Morgan, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing said, “There has been much interest in this whole proposal and I would warmly encourage residents and interested people to make their views known formally as part of the feasibility study. I want to reiterate that there is no intention here to close the library, but merely to re-locate it to the heart of the town centre, which will mean investment into the much loved Public Halls building to transform it into a modern library, whilst retaining its current uses. We would then be able to use the existing site for much needed housing.”
Councillor Morgan added, “Whilst we are looking at all the related details, including how much housing the site would be able to accommodate and the financing of this proposal, we are interested in the views of local people.
High level feasibility work has already been undertaken, with this initial work concluding that 46 homes could be accommodated on the existing library site, with the proposal also including transforming Beckenham Public Halls into a new modern library and cultural venue. This would result in substantial investment into the Grade II listed grand Victorian building.
Once the feasibility work is completed, including the engagement work, then the council will then consider whether to take the proposal forwards. If the council considers the proposal to be a viable proposition, then there would be formal public consultation on the recommendation.
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