Beckenham Halls was crowded last Thursday evening (14th Nov) to hear about the council’s proposals to move the library from Clock House to a redeveloped Beckenham Halls. The meeting voted to set up an action committee.
We fully acknowledge that the current proposals do not mean closure of library facilities in Beckenham. But we are still opposed to it being moved to a smaller facility, the loss of a valued community service in Clock House, the loss of two out three public rooms at Beckenham Halls on Bromley Road and demolition of the 1939 late art deco purpose built library building. Not to mention the imposition of a brutalistic 5 storey block of flats on the library site.
The residents at the meeting made their feelings felt – the points raised were …
The loss of community facilities in Clock House. Many pointed out that the Library is use for children along side the Spa, with parents combining visits.
Clock House has been revitalised recently. Removing the library would be kick in the teeth for the area.
The council paper said £300k to be spent on consultants for this scheme, while the repair backlog is for Beckenham Halls is £400k – the meeting applauded the point that the council should spend the consultants fee on the necessary refurbishment!
A local architect said the current Computer Generated Images (CGI) should not be taken at face value. Housing requirements are that flats should have access to outdoor space, so the park next to the supposed block would probably also be needed for the development.
The local history archives at Beckenham Library belong in Beckenham. There is not room for them in the proposed Beckenham Halls, and thymus not be moved to Bromley library. Indeed we want the Beckenham history material currently stored in Bromley to be rehoused in Beckenham.
The loss of two out of three halls at Beckenham Halls is a big detriment. The smaller halls provide much needed smaller group space, for which the large hall will be too expensive. But if they do compete for space in the large hall, lager groups will have nowhere to go.
Please sign the petition and get family friends and neighbours to do so. There will also be paper versions available soon.
The proposal to commission the feasibility study at a cost of £70,000 will be discussed at the Executive Committee meeting at the Civic Centre at 7pm on 27 November. Our local Clock House councillors will speak and would welcome support in the public gallery. Or contact members of the Committee directly.
Councillor Graham Arthur Graham.Arthur@bromley.gov.uk
Councillor Peter Fortune Peter.Fortune@bromley.gov.uk
Councillor William Huntington-Thresher william@ocat.co.uk
Councillor Kate Lymer Kate.Lymer@bromley.gov.uk
Councillor Peter Morgan Peter.Morgan@bromley.gov.uk
Councillor Colin Smith Chairman Colin.Smith@bromley.gov.uk
Councillor Diane Smith Diane.Smith@bromley.gov.uk