Westminster set for new £12 million library

Plans have been submitted for a new state of the art, three-storey library on Luxborough Street in Marylebone, Westminster Council has confirmed.

The local authority has submitted a joint proposal alongside architects Child Graddon Lewis and Bisset Adams, which includes plans for a new and much improved library with a cafe, exhibition area and computer study areas.

The new building would also include a large feature staircase that will connect the ground and lower floor levels, helping to draw natural light downwards.

It would also include nine flats for private sale, which would be built on the three floors above the library - an element that the council says will help to offset the cost of building the library, boosting value for money for local taxpayers.

Since 2009, Westminster Council has consulted extensively with local residents, library users and stakeholders on the plans, and has augmented them accordingly to include features such as better security for the building, the creation of an entrance to the library from the park, and the relocation of cycle space to reduce the impact on local residents.

Councillor Steve Summers, Cabinet Member for the Community, said the plans are for a "top of the range" library offering state of the art facilities, which are not available in the rest of Central London.

He added: "This fantastic new facility will offer the local community more books, more computers and up to 75 per cent more usable library space."

Councillor Jonathan Glanz, Westminster Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said he is looking forward to beginning work on the new development, which will benefit everyone in the Metropolitan Borough of Westminster.

He added: "We have spent a long time working with residents over plans for the development and are confident that this planning submission reflects the needs of the local community."

The new library will open in spring 2015, if planning permission is granted, with the new facility replacing the existing Marylebone Library, which is currently located at Macintosh House on Beaumont Street.

Published 17th September, 2013

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