I’m delighted to report that last night my ward colleagues Cllr Richard Thomas, Cllr Jonathan Mitchell and I supported a new community library at 18-22 Grove Vale. The library component is something I proposed to the developer two years ago. Last night Southwark Council’s main Planning Council GRANTED planning permission for a new Community Library at 18-22 Grove Vale replacing the current Grove Vale Library. The scheme will include 22 flats, 25% renewable energy, green roofs. The new library will have twice the current floor space for users. This will enable school classes to visit, adult education and increasing the number of days and hours of opening. The new site being next to East Dulwich station will have significantly more footfall. The current library has just over 100,000 visits per year. I’m expecting this to increase by at least 50%. Local businesses in Grove Vale and the surrounding area should benefit from this new magnet for visitors.
The Planning Committee voted: James Gurling, Eliza Mann (reserve), Gordon Nardell, Althea Smith and Aubyn Graham for the scheme, with Robin Crookshank-Hilton voting against the scheme.
The expectation is that six months of finalising planning conditions. Then 18 months to complete the build.
Getting to this position would not have been possible without the developer and agents St.Aidan’s and many council officers, council departments and councillors sharing my vision and overcoming considerable hurdles.
Many thanks for all their hard work. What stars. A really great result for the residents East Dulwich and South Camberwell.
As part of this decision was full funding for the operation of the new enlarged library including the running
of adult education classes etc approved, or simply planning permission with no guarantees of future funding?
Hi David,
The Planning Committee doesn’t hold the budgets for the Library Services – not does the developer. However the council officer who runs the Library Services was present. She had expected to speak but wasn’t called. Her prepared statement makes it clear what the intention for this new enlarged community library would be. However, as it will take two years minimum before it is completed she wouldn’t be in a position to state what adult education funding would be in place. All it would take is a building delay to scupper any such detailed plans.
Hope this answers your query.
regards james