Hampshire County Council

Building Land and Contracts Panel Item *

3 February 2003

Executive Member - Policy & Resources

13 February 2003

Romsey Library - development strategy and in/out proposals

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Summary

1.1

The following decisions are sought:

1.2

That subject to the views of the Buildings, Land and Contracts Panel the Leader be asked to agree that:

1. Approval be given to progress the design work for the removal of the temporary building and provide an extension to the Library at an estimated cost of £425,000 including fees, and that a design project appraisal be submitted to the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage at the appropriate time.

2. An area of land comprising 0.08 hectares (0.2 acres) to the rear of the library be declared surplus to requirements and available for disposal.

3. The capital receipt from the sale of the land be retained towards the cost of providing the proposed extension to Romsey Library as a reinvestment project.

4. Approval be given for a funding contribution, currently estimated to be £75,000, from the Policy & Resources capital repairs budget towards the new building.

2

Reason

2.1

To replace a temporary building that is nearing the end of its useful life and provide an extension and improvements to the existing Library.

3

Other options considered and rejected

3.1

A range of options were considered whilst undertaking the feasibility study but this proposal is considered the most appropriate and cost effective way of improving facilities at the Library.

4

Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker or a member or officer consulted

4.1

None.

5

Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1

Not applicable

6

Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1

Not applicable

Approved by:

..........................

Date of decision:

.........................

Councillor T K Thornber

Hampshire County Council

Building Land and Contracts Panel

3 February 2003

Romsey Library development strategy and in/out proposals

Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

1

Introduction

1.1

The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has undertaken a feasibility study into the provision of improved accommodation at the existing library site. This was prompted, in part, by a report on the existing HORSA temporary building which confirmed its poor structural condition and the need to replace or substantially repair it in the near future. An outline design was produced some years ago for a suitably scaled extension but funding was not available at that time. This report outlines the development proposals for the Library and the suggested funding strategy to support the development.

2

The existing building and site

2.1

The original building which houses the Library was built in 1872 and is an attractive Grade II Listed building. It was constructed as a National Boys' School and designed by the Architect W Eden Nesfield. A rather poor quality extension was added to the back of the building in the mid-twentieth century to provide toilet accommodation. The building was then occupied by the Library Service and a `temporary' building placed at the rear of the site some 30 years ago. This currently provides staff workroom facilities.

2.2

A second temporary building elsewhere on the site was demolished and replaced with a new Social Services facility, the Appletree Centre, in 1995. Access has to be maintained across the Library site and there is a requirement for some car parking provision.

2.3

The remainder of the site to the rear of the Library is occupied by a car park. The provision, which currently cannot be controlled exceeds the requirements for the Library and Day Centre and is used by visitors without payment and local residents using the town centre facilities. It could be expected that the loss of this car parking would cause some disappointment locally which would be offset by the benefits from much improved local facilities.

2.4

The existing Library building is in reasonable condition. A survey has been undertaken that identifies the current deficiencies and the costs of potential remedial works.

2.5

Adjoining the Library building is a dwelling owned by the County Council that was part of the original School building and is currently on a long lease arrangement.

3

Development proposals

3.1

Plans relating to the existing site, the proposed extension and the identified for disposal are attached.

3.2

A site to the rear of the Library has been identified for potential disposal and, subject to the necessary planning approvals and statutory consultations, could accommodate a small development of dwellings. It is estimated that a capital receipt in the region of £350,000 could be realised.

3.3

A new two-storey extension could be constructed to the rear of the Library, in keeping with the existing scale and historic nature of the building. The accommodation would comprise additional ground floor public space for a library/discovery centre and new staff accommodation, including workroom, office and toilets.

3.4

The site around the Library would be reconfigured to provide 14 car parking spaces (including three disabled) and a new vehicular entrance and pedestrian access arrangement to the Appletree Centre.

4

Costs

4.1

The current estimate for constructing the Library extension is £425,000, including professional fees. It is proposed to offset this by the use of the total capital receipt and cover the current shortfall of £75,000 from Policy & Resources funds on the basis of replacing the temporary building with permanent accommodation. This will be reviewed at future stages throughout the project to match the cost of the development with the estimated receipt and the scope of works.

4.2

The cost of furniture and fittings will be part of a discussion with the Director of Recreation and Heritage, in conjunction with consideration of the potential for establishing a discovery centre on this site.

4.3

As referred to in 2.4 above, a condition survey has identified potential elements of a repair and maintenance nature, including upgrading the heating and electrical systems. Cost for this work is currently estimated at around £150,000. It is intended to undertake further design and development work in conjunction with the design of the internal fitting out with a view to considering which elements could best be included in a future building contract. This would give economies of scale and give the building and its services a new lease of life.

4.4

The proposals will be subject to a detailed design project appraisal for approval by the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage once a detailed and costed scheme has been prepared.

Recommendation(s)

That the Buildings, Land and Contracts Panel advices the Executive Member for Policy and Resources that:

1. Approval be given to progress the design work for the removal of the temporary building and provide and extension to the Library at an estimated cost of £425,000 including fees, and that a design project appraisal be submitted to the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage at the appropriate time.

2. An area of land comprising 0.08 hectares (0.2 acres) to the rear of the Library be declared surplus to requirements and available for disposal.

3. The capital receipt from the sale of the land be retained towards the cost of providing the proposed extension to Romsey Library as a reinvestment project.

4. Approval for a funding contribution, currently estimated to be around £75,000 be allocated from the Policy and Resources capital repairs budget.