East Greenwich Library
Following on from my post earlier today about the turning of Greenwich into a theme park, I've just remembered something chilling that was said to me when I went to the 'consultation' for the Heart of East Greenwich development. I asked what was to become of East Greenwich Library, since it's listed but there's no way it will ever stay as a library once the new development crashes into being.
Now,before I go any further, I don't actually think it's a bad thing to move the library into bigger premises. The one we have is hopelessly inadequate - you try and find anything that isn't a large-print romance or a board book for the under-fives in the current East Greenwich Library - one that's larger and better-equiped can only be a good thing IMHO.
I had assumed that the building itself, though, would be kept for community use - it was, after all, a gift to the people of Greenwich from Andrew Carnegie. Maybe morphed into more of what it already is - a music centre for Greenwich Community College, which seems like a good idea to me. But the just-out-of-short-trousers youth who had been assigned to field questions like mine, merely grinned and told me, pretty much as a matter of pride, that only the facade of the building is listed and that they can do what they like with the interior.
I asked him what sort of thing they had in mind, but he just shrugged and grinned some more. Personally, if I had been the people who were putting forward the 'consultation,' I'd have told him to be a little less smug and a little more vague, but perhaps that shows the contempt they have for local people and, of course, the little farce called 'consultation' the developers have to go through in the name of 'public involvement.'
Luxury flats, anyone?
Labels: Debates, East Greenwich Library, Heart of East Greenwich
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
11:52
11 Comments:
If it's listed, they have to get Listed Building Consent for any alterations. There's a good argument for saying that the interior is an integral part of its value, and there's no way they can assume that they'll be able to gut it or demolish everything bar the facade.
It's worth keeping an eye on this, objecting when any proposals come in, and contacting the Victorian Society.
I suspect like all the buildings in central london they would be able to get away with knocking the entire thing down behind the facade and building some new monstrosity behind it.
Maybe we should campaign for it to become a Christopher Fowler museum as he seems to love putting it in his books and he is a relatively famous son of Greenwich :)
The library was built as the central library for the old Metropolitan Borough of Greenwich -who extended it sometime in the 1920s. If you can find a way of looking out of the back of the library there is an empty space where most of the 1920s extension fell down in the 1980s.
great idea nicksphotos. I am sure Christopher Fowler would be quite interested knowing his love of London, especially South East.
And I love his books!
Sounds exactly like the "consultation" they carried out for West Greenwich Library, when it was proposed it be mothballed and all the books go to the new library on the old Greenwich Hospital site. This involved putting requests for comments from the public on the Greenwich Council Website (hidden away on the "libaries" page, rather than on the front page - with nary a poster to be seen at the library itself. In fact, had I not been looking on the website for something else, I never would have heard about it. I very rarely use either East or West Greenwich Library, as Eltham Library is just round the corner from where I live, but I'm vehemently against public buildings (even those of minor architectural merit; you have to admit that East Greenwich Library isnt exactly stunning) being turned over to private use.
In what I believe we are obliged to call 'the current climate', I would have thought that luxury flats next to a busy roundabout and flyover would be a total non starter.
But then I thought luxury flats on Trafalgar Road were a non starter as well, so what do I know?
I'm afraid to say that your proposed campaign is a non starter Phantom. Look around London and you will see dozens of buildings that were originally left for the 'Good Citizens of ......." are now in private use. The Landlords merely argue that any revenue from the building, once sold, will be put back into the community in other ways. It is a tried and tested method, I'm afraid.
As has been mentioned before the builders have an obligation to 'consult' but no obligation to 'listen'.
Maybe our esteemed councillors who are very quiet on this issue should pipe up and say something. After all, they were the ones that voted for this project as our representatives.
Yes, but one doesnt see any of those "luxury apartments" currently taking shape on Trafalgar Road actually getting sold now, does one?
I imagine that, given East Greenwich Library's position right on the motorway roundabout, with about 5 busy bus routes stopping literally outside all day and all night, there wou't be that many takers. Would you? I wouldnt!
rtb, have to agree - that particular spot is the outside Khazi of East Greenwich
Greenwich Council's been itching to get rid of the old library for years - there was an active Save East Greenwich Library campaign in the early 90s who staged an all-night vigil the first time they planned to close it.
Until it was downgraded in the 80s, it was a beautiful old library - I nearly cried when I walked in there and saw what had become of it a few years back.
Having been brought up in that "outside khazi of East Greenwich", I'd like to see the luxurious spot that scared of chives hails from, by the way.
853 blog, I live in East Greenwich and I was referring to that particular spot next to the flyover. Where I hail from is irrelevant.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home