Details to build a new Sherwood Library have been revealed by Nottingham City Council. Contracts have been signed with a developer and the whole site is set to be redeveloped in 2021.
The Sherwood Library site, located on Spondon Street, is currently owned by Nottingham Council, and includes former social services offices, a car park and three retail units, as well as the existing library. The council believe that the current buildings are in a poor state of repair and the library no longer meets the standards expected by library users.
In 2017, Nottingham City Council conducted a consultation with Sherwood library users about the next steps for the library, and as a result, last year the council carried out an exercise to identify a preferred contractor to buy and develop the site. The contractor has been named as Hockley Developments.
The deal will see a mixed-use scheme created (subject to planning permission) including a new high-quality library, homes and a large retail unit. As part of the development, a new public car park will replace the existing one. In exchange for the value of the land, a new library will be provided, which will be more energy efficient and economical to run, and is expected to attract more people with its modern facilities. The arrangement means that the council will lease back the library on a long-term lease, but retain ownership of the new car park.
Subject to obtaining planning approval, Hockley Developments expect to be on site early in 2021. The development has been phased in such a way that car parking and the electric car charging points will be available during the construction period, so remain accessible to visitors in Sherwood. During this period, all library card memberships remain valid at all other Nottingham City libraries for accessing books and facilities, such as PC, scanning & printing services.
Due to Covid 19, all Nottingham City libraries have experienced some periods of closure or change to facilities this year, such as Click & Collect. To help library users understand what these changes are and what facilities are still available, a dedicated page has been created on the Nottingham City Council website.
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