Hampshire County Council Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 12 17 November 2005 Bursledon Library Report by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services

How the conclusion in this report fits with the Corporate Strategy This scheme will impact on the delivery of all Corporate Aims, focusing most immediately on: Aim 1 - maximising life opportunities: by providing a modern local branch library service in the Bursledon area. Aim 5 - improving services: these proposals enable a new library facility and improved community building for an estimated 8,000 catchment population.

Contact: Steve Clow Ext: 7858 e-mail: [email protected]

1	Summary
1.1	At the July 2004 meeting of the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage approval was given to the development of a new library in Bursledon and authority granted for Hampshire County Council (HCC) to commence discussions with Eastleigh Borough Council (EBC), Bursledon Community Association (BCA) and Bursledon Parish Council (BPC). Since that time the proposals have been developed and agreement between the above parties has been reached regarding the proposed site, funding, design and management of the library.
1.2	It is proposed to construct the new library on a previously undeveloped area of land immediately adjacent to Bursledon Community Centre, which will be held by HCC on a 99 year lease (with an option for a further 26 years thereafter) to include on site car parking at a peppercorn rent, from the Trustees of BCA. Approval to this course of action is being sought from the Executive Member for Policy and Resources at the November 2005 meeting.
1.3	EBC are providing funding for these proposals of £279,000, excluding fees. HCC will manage the new library and the BCA will continue to own and manage the existing adjoining community centre.
1.4	The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services has progressed the design of the proposed library and the purpose of this report is to seek approval to the attached building design project appraisal with an estimated cost of £303,000, excluding fees.
2	Scope of the Works
2.1	It is proposed to construct a single storey extension to the south west elevation of the existing Bursledon Community Centre to provide a new library. The existing community centre gable end wall will be removed and the main community hall extended to the south west to enable `short matt bowls' to be played in the main hall, at the request of the BCA. A new store will also be provided within the community centre extension.
2.2	The new library will provide a main library hall, book store, entrance lobby, staff room and an accessible toilet in a single storey building under a tiled mono-pitched roof to match the existing adjoining community centre.
2.3	The existing community centre is currently served by a car park with 32 parking bays, which is considered to be appropriate for shared use by the community centre and the new library. Minor changes will provide disabled parking bays that meet current DDA regulations and new ramps from the car park and an existing public footpath located to the south west of the new library will enable level pedestrian access to both buildings.
2.4	The frontage of the community centre will be improved by the construction of a new external canopy which will provide a sheltered link between the two functions. External landscaping to this area will also improve the setting and approach to the library and community centre, whilst discouraging the playing of ball games in this area. New signage will provide a clear definition between the functions.
3	Funding and Timing
3.1	Funding of £279,000, excluding fees, for the building works has come from Eastleigh Borough Council. No financial provision has been made within these costs for fittings, furniture and equipment which will be undertaken as part of a separate contract. The Director of Recreation and Heritage anticipates a contribution of £40,000 from an appropriate 2006/07 Recreation and Heritage budget for the library fittings, furniture and equipment and a report will be brought to a future Executive Member meeting for approval.
3.2	Subject to the necessary approvals it is anticipated that tenders will be invited during December 2005, work will commence on site during March 2006 and be completed during October 2006.
4	Consultation with Local Member
4.1	Councillor House, the local Member for this area, has been consulted on these proposals.
Conclusion
These proposals enable a local modern library facility which will provide an estimated 8,000 catchment population, along with an enlarged community building.

Recommendation

That the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage approves the design project appraisal for the Bursledon library scheme, at an estimated cost of £303,000, excluding fees.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1 Published works

2 Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

Title Location

Architect's plans PMIS file

Building Profile Reports TMH

Hampshire County Council

Building Design Project Appraisal

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage

17 November 2005

Project:	Bursledon Library
	New Library and extension to community building
Commencement date:	March 2006
Completion date:	October 2006
Planned year of start in accordance with Capital Programme:		2005/06

Recommendation:

That the building design project appraisal for the Bursledon library scheme be approved.

1 Finance

Capital Expenditure	Current Estimate £'000
Buildings	303
Fees	49
Land to be purchased	-
Total	352

Financial Provision for Total Scheme	Buildings £'000	Fees £'000	Total cost £'000
1. From External Resources:
a) Eastleigh Borough Council	279	45	324
Total	279	45	324

The current cost estimate is £24,000, excluding fees, above the financial provision for the scheme. The shortfall will be addressed following receipt of tenders by identifying appropriate savings on the scheme.

Building Cost - Net Cost = £ 1,924 per m²

- Gross Cost = £ 2,347 per m²

Landlord funded work connected with this scheme

There are no landlord funded works associated with this scheme.

Value of land already acquired for this project

The area of land comprises approximately 72 sq metres immediately adjacent to Bursledon Community Centre, which will be held by HCC on a 99 year lease (with an option for a further 26 years thereafter) to include on site car parking at a peppercorn rent, from the Trustees of BCA..

Revenue implications

	(a) Employees £'000	(b) Other £'000	(a+b) Net Current Expenditure £'000	(c) Capital Charges £'000	(a+b+c) Total Net Expenditure £'000
Revenue Implications Additional+ /Reductions	24	10	34	15	49
Unit cost (£) (e.g. per place)	-	-	-	-	-
% variation to Committee's budget	-				-
Number of additional Staff (fte)	1 fte	-	-	-	1 fte

Energy costs

The estimated annual energy consumption for the new accommodation will meet that required by current Building Regulations. It is anticipated that the annual fuel cost will be in the order of £572 per year or £7.15 m²/y. The CO² consumption will be 4.9 tonnes per year or 61kg/m²/y.

2 Details of site and existing infrastructure

Location /adjoining land and buildings

The proposed new library will be constructed to the south west elevation of the existing community centre. The existing car park lies to the south east of the community centre. Local shops are located to the east of the site with housing beyond. Lowford Hill / Portsmouth Road lies to the south with further housing beyond. To the north and west of the site is further residential accommodation.

Area including comparison with local/national standards

The total site area, which includes the 72 sq metres held by HCC on a 99 year lease, is 117sq metres. There are no local/national standards for buildings of this type.

Access

Pedestrian access will be made to both the library and the community centre from the south east elevation where a new canopy is proposed. Whilst the two buildings will have their own independent entrances the canopy will provide a sheltered link between the two functions. Ramps from the car park to the east and a public footpath to the south will provide level access to both entrances.

Existing vehicular access will be maintained from Lowford Hill / Portsmouth Road to the existing car park.

Existing buildings and temporary buildings

The existing community centre was constructed in the 1980's and is of a single storey `L' shaped construction, with a tiled mono-pitched roof.

There are no temporary buildings on the site.

Results of trial boreholes

An investigation was undertaken during September 2005 and revealed the ground conditions to be made ground, in varying forms, in all locations from ground level to depths of 3.70 - 4.00 metres below ground level. Groundwater was encountered in two trial pits at depths of 2.70 - 2.80 metres below ground level.

It is recommended that piled foundations are used for these proposals.

Mains services position

It will be necessary to bring electric, gas and water services to the site to serve the proposed development.

3 Scope of the Project

Type of project, layout and facilities provided

This scheme will provide a single storey building with the following accommodation:

· entrance lobby

· library

· book store

· staff room

· accessible toilet.

The existing community centre will be enlarged by opening up the end gable wall and extending to the south west, which will enable `short matt bowels' to be played in the main community centre hall. An additional store will be included within this extension.

Places provided

The new Library will provide a service to an estimated catchment population of 8,000. Estimated annual footfall is approximately 15,000 visits with about 40,000 book, video and DVD issues. Libraries of this size usually have a stock of about 5000 books and deal with 1300 enquiries each year.

4 The Proposed Building

Type of construction, finish and appearance

The new library will be of a masonry construction on a steel frame, with a tiled mono-pitched roof to match the existing community centre. Windows and doors will be stained timber, also to match the existing. High level clerestory windows are proposed for the south east and south west elevations. The external canopy will be of a steel frame design with a metal standing seam roof covering.

Accessible facilities

Level access from the car park and public footpath to both the library and community centre will be maintained . The building will have level access throughout and an accessible toilet will be provided within the new library.

Heating and ventilation systems

It is proposed that a low pressure, hot water gas system serving under floor heating is used in the new library.

High level windows will assist with ventilation and cross ventilation in the main library space.

Fire risk assessment

In consultation with the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, a fire risk assessment concludes that this is a low fire risk category building. As this is not a HCC owned building the Sprinkler System Policy adopted by HCC is not relevant, however, it has been established that a sprinkler system would not be required for this building.

Health and safety

A designer's risk assessment and a design health and safety plan, in accordance with Regulation 15 of the Construction Design and Management Regulations 1994, have been undertaken for the proposed scheme.

5 External Works

Car parking

The existing car park to the south east of the community centre, which provides 32 parking bays will be unaltered, however, two existing disabled parking bays will be slightly modified to comply with current DDA regulations.

Landscape proposals

The planting of trees and shrubs to the main entrance areas and existing car park will be used to enhance the site and improve the setting of the library and community centre. The forecourt planting is also to discourage the use of this area for ball games.

Situation on site and environmental impact

The site will be enhanced by the proposed new building and landscaping works as the existing open space around the community centre is generally of a poor quality.

Neighbouring properties to the rear of the site will not be affected by these proposals as the site is well screened by mature trees and planting.

6 Planning

Planning approval for these proposals has been granted.

7 Building management

Hampshire County Council will manage the building as a new public library.

8 Furniture and equipment

No provision for furniture and equipment has been made within these current proposals. The Director of Recreation and Heritage anticipates a contribution of £40,000 from an appropriate 2006/07 Recreation and Heritage budget for the library fittings, furniture and equipment and a report will be brought to a future Executive Member meeting for approval.

9 Professional resources

Architectural Services }Alexander Design

Quantity Surveying }Property, Business And Regulatory

Electrical and Mechanical Engineering }White, Young and Green

Structural Engineering }R J Watkinson

10 Consultations

The following have been consulted during the development of the project: Director of Recreation and Heritage, Environment Department, HCC Access Officer, local County Councillor, Eastleigh Borough Council, Bursledon and District Community Association.

I/Committees/ExMemR&H/2005/November/BursledonLibrary