Issue - meetings

Change of use of Middlesex Suite and Registrar's Office (Part Level 1 and Level 2) within the Civic Centre Complex from Class E (g) (i) / Sui Generis to Class F1 to accommodate a new public library and museum, involving minor internal and external alterations and associated works.

Recommendation: Approval

RESOLVED: That the application be approved as per officer’s recommendation.

Change of use of Middlesex Suite and Registrar's Office (Part Level 1 and Level 2) within the Civic Centre Complex from Class E (g) (i) / Sui Generis to Class F1 to accommodate a new public library and museum, involving minor internal and external alterations and associated works.

Officers introduced the application, highlighted the information in the addendum, provided a verbal update on an additional condition and signatories to the petition, and took Members through the plans. A recommendation for approval was made.

A nominated speaker on behalf of the petitioners addressed the Committee and noted that there had been two petitions submitted in objection to the application. The speaker submitted that there was insufficient data to justify the proposed library and community hub as critical aspects had not been considered.  The nominated speaker submitted that the revised plan had an area similar to the library in 1974 to 1987, which now did not meet the increased population. Furthermore, he submitted that there were significant constraints and reductions which conflicted with the Council's objectives for facility relocation and delivering services equal to or better than the existing site.  The speaker outlined that the application did not provide a list of the resource requirements and how they compared to the existing site. Concerns were raised by the speaker about reduced book shelving space to support a children’s library and reduced space to support the new archive search room. It was submitted that the application lacked compliance with the existing building regulations and the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964. It was submitted that the proposal does not  address the accessibility issues raised by groups of people, including those with disabilities, visual impairments and Parkinsons with the listing of the building used to justify not making regulation compliant modifications It was submitted by the speaker that a balance should be made for providing accessibility compliance and heritage values, which the speaker submitted had not been done. It was submitted that the proposed development did not meet the Council’s aims for facility relocation, and improving the health, wellbeing and safety for those less mobile.

The nominated speaker emphasised that the library was a community hub seen by many as a village hall and was the only public resource in Uxbridge. It was submitted that the report lacked consideration of the proposed development and its impact on community events and community classes held in the existing library. It was also submitted that the plans should have been presented to a fire officer for assessment detailing how the building would be used with the expected number of service users, evacuation routes and assembly points. The speaker reiterated that he believed there were fundamental details in the plans and report that had not been quantified, omitted or even considered. The Committee was urged by the nominated speaker to either defer the decision to rectify the lack of data and the omissions in the report or refuse the application. Lastly, the nominated speaker reiterated to Members the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18