Library demolition halted by new council leader

The future of Redditch library was a key issue in May's local elections

Plans to demolish and relocate Redditch Library have been halted.

The library was set to be moved into the town hall, despite some opposition from residents.

But new borough council leaderJoe Baker said he was looking at unwinding contracts signed for the project, plus new proposals for the town centre.

Labour won control of Redditch Borough Council in local elections earlier this month, after six years under the Conservatives.

"The library has been a quite contentious subject on the doors," Mr Baker said.

"We've listened... The library is not going to be moving into the town hall."

The relocation had been championed by the council's previous Conservative administration as a way to regenerate the town centre.

After Redditch secured £15.6m of Town Deal funding from the government in 2021, a £4.2m business case was drawn up.

The money would have paid for the demolition of the existing library and the construction of a new three-storey mixed use building and public plaza.

But a public consultation over the library's move found 72.3% of respondents disagreed to some extent.

Even with the project's cancellation, further changes will need to be made to the existing library. This includes the installation of new technology to allow it to be open to the public at times with no staff.

Labour councillor Joe Baker became Redditch's new council leader at its annual meeting on Monday

Mr Baker said he hoped to use the £4.2m to boost the town centre in other ways, such as by setting up an outdoor market or upgrading shop fronts.

Any proposal to redirect Towns Fund money would require the approval of Redditch's Town Deal board, an independent body made up of councils, business and education leaders and the town's Conservative MP, Rachel Maclean.

Mrs Maclean said she looked forward to meeting with Mr Baker to discuss the new administration's plans, and to working constructively with him.

"I secured the regeneration funding for the town centre and I want to see it spent... in order to boost the local economy and the quality of shops and leisure opportunities", she said.

When completed, the town hall will include communal spaces and some local NHS services.

While the relocation of the library has now been halted, the redevelopment of Redditch's town hall is still set to continue.

Some local NHS services have already moved into the building, with £6.2m set aside to cover the cost of the refurbishment.

"We're not against the development... what we would like to see is the town hall turned into is a conference, dining and community hub", said Mr Baker.