Plans for enhanced Uxbridge Library get approved

The council's Planning Committee met last night (Tuesday 16 July) where it approved an application for the change of use of the Middlesex Suite, in the Civic Centre, to facilitate the library, including museum and archives service, moving there from its current position in the High Street, just 300 metres away. 

The decision is welcome news for residents, as it means work on delivering their improved facility can now get underway. 

The initial proposals were revised following feedback from residents to extend the available space on the site to allow for more bookshelves and the creation of additional dedicated spaces. The revised plans now include using the space currently occupied by the council's Register Office, which will allow for double the number of bookshelves compared to the original proposals. 

The Register Office will move to the floor below and the space it frees up will be used to accommodate the museum, local studies and archives service, as well as a dedicated space for the popular Tovertafel (interactive tabletop projection) facility and study spaces. 

The plans also include space for exhibitions and events, a learning centre, dedicated children's library, a large book collection and use of the wider Civic Centre space for activities.    

The move was agreed by the council's Cabinet following a vote in February and subject to planning permission being granted. The report presented to Cabinet included statements from the Borough Solicitor that the current building is not compliant with equalities or health and safety at work legislation. Being spaced across six floors and with no fire evacuation lifts it would be particularly difficult for people with disabilities to safely evacuate. 

Uxbridge will remain the borough's  largest library and now will offer hireable meeting room space and step-free access: all facilities will be available on one level inside the Civic Centre building, which is in the process of being upgraded to minimise its carbon emissions. 

Bringing the library into the Civic Centre puts it alongside other essential council services, such as Uxbridge Family Hub and Uxbridge Adult Education Centre, ensuring a range of key services are all under one roof.  

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Residents' Services, said: "This proposal aligns with all elements of our Council Strategy, emphasising our commitment to residents to deliver first class services which enrich their lives, while remaining fiscally and environmentally astute by capitalising on resources and delivering the very best value for residents.     

"These plans will deliver a first class library for residents that is modern, enhanced, safer, more accessible and will save taxpayers money in the long term.

"We have an enviable record of library investment over the past 17 years. While many local authorities have closed their facilities, we remain committed to retaining 16 sites across the borough and enhancing our library service as we continue to put residents first."