Questions are being raised about the future of Tynemouth library as the council seeks a new contractor to demolish and redevelop the site.
On September 27 2022, North Tyneside Council approved plans to demolish the Front Street library and rebuild a community centre including a new library, ICT facilities, and six residential properties for the open market. The move proved controversial at the time, with residents complaining about the loss of the Georgian-era building, the potential impact on parking, and the impact on the local conservation area.
However, the local authority has announced the original contractor for the works, Aurora Properties Ltd, will no longer undertake the job. However, despite this setback, North Tyneside Council has said the original plans will go ahead, once a new contractor is found.
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Peter Mennell, director of housing and the lead for the project said: “North Tyneside Council is fully committed to delivering the redevelopment of Tynemouth Library to maximise its potential as a library and vibrant community venue.
“Northern Power Grid has already started work on site to relocate and modernise the substation, this is essential before further work can start. This work is complicated and will take several months to complete, at which point we will have established a timetable for the rest of the redevelopment work to be finished.
“Newcastle Building Society remains incredibly supportive of our plans; we are confident that we will have a provider onboard soon who will deliver this ambitious scheme.”
The local authority aims to see work start on the project in Spring 2024.
However, a Conservative councillor for Tynemouth is far less optimistic about the future of the library following recent developments.
Coun Lewis Bartoli said: "From my perspective, we have seen millions invested in other areas of North Tyneside, with a second round of regeneration in Whitley Bay announced. Tynemouth, again, has been shafted, we just seem to be the afterthought of the council. We always seem to get the short straw.
"When we do get something, it gets pulled.
"I can't see how a provider would agree to put in a library. It will mean the closing of the library."
Councillor Bartoli went on to say that although library use may be dwindling, it is "still important" such facilities are maintained and delivered, particularly for young and elderly residents.
Tynemouth library has been closed since February 2020 after the building was found no longer fit for purpose.
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