ANGER OVER CARNEGIE LIBRARY APPLICATION
Friends of Lambeth Libraries have voiced their anger over the way in which the planning application for the Carnegie library at Herne Hill has been dealt with.
Plans submitted by Greenwich Leisure include a two-storey extension, felling of trees and use of part of the building as a gym. But Lambeth council, in other documents, have said the library, closed since March 31st, will “reopen as a healthy living centre” next year.
In a strongly-worded email sent by by Laura Swaffield, who chairs Friends of Lambeth Libraries, to Lambeth council’s cabinet member for culture Cllr Jack Hopkins and former council leader Cllr Jim Dickson – with copies to all four opposition councilors – Laura says:
“It is now a full two weeks since a notice was finally – after a hail of complaints – posted on the Carnegie building (21 Nov).
“YET THE CLOSING DATE FOR COMMENTS IS STILL GIVEN as NOV 29 ON THE LBL WEBSITE, despite repeated polite requests to change it, from myself and other people.
“Cllr Jim Dickson (Lab, Herne Hill ward in which the Carnegie stands) has meanwhile asserted the real deadline is Dec 23rd, but this has not been confirmed – again, despite repeated requests.
“The planning section on the website has been down for most, or all, of the two weekends since Nov 21.
“Immediate neighbours of the library have had no notification at all.
“Paper copies of the plans are nowhere available.
“Most local people still have no idea what is planned, let alone how bad it is.
“All of this is disgraceful and undemocratic. “I will be making a complaint.”
Lambeth Conservative Cllr Bernard Gentry, responding, has told Laura Swaffield: “Representations can be made even if the time period has passed. “Indeed often additional representations are made up to and including the date of the committee meeting.”
Further reading: CARNEGIE LIBRARY TO BECOME “HEALTHY LIVING CENTRE” SAY LAMBETH November 21st 2016
