Construction of Shenfield library now complete
It includes nine apartments above the building delivered by Essex housing
Building work is now complete at Shenfield Library and it will soon be ready to welcome visitors.
The library includes commercial space, with nine high quality apartments above.
Essex Housing, the council's in-house property developer, has delivered the new development.
The fit out of the space will take place over the coming weeks. It will be ready to welcome residents for the much-anticipated launch in February. A new public garden, outdoor learning and activity space will further enhance the library offer.
Construction work to replace the old library commenced in October 2022. The previous facility was in need of repair, with high ongoing maintenance costs.
Temporary library facilities have been provided at Bishops Hill Adult Community Learning Centre in Poplar Drive. This site will close at midday on 25 January, ahead of the new library opening to the public.
A mobile library will be available for two days during the closure period. This will operate from the car park at Bishops Hill. The specific dates of these visits will be confirmed shortly.
Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for the Communities, Economic Growth and Prosperity, recently visited the new space. She said: “It’s great that the new Shenfield Library will be opening soon! The building is looking fantastic, as it nears completion and I am looking forward to seeing families enjoy the top notch facilities and open outdoor space.”
Councillor Mark Durham, Cabinet Member for Arts, Heritage and Culture, said: “It’s wonderful to see the new library building finished and I look forward to welcoming residents at the official launch next month.”
Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Regeneration, Councillor Lee Scott, said: “I am delighted that Essex Housing has redeveloped this site to provide high quality housing and a new and improved library. I’d like to thank residents again for their patience while the work is completed. I look forward to welcoming them when the library officially opens.”
The new library is the first in Essex to use Air Source Heat Pumps. The development also includes mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. Electric Vehicle Charging Points for residents add to the development’s sustainable credentials.
At the time of planning submission, the combined residential, library and commercial elements achieved a 54% carbon emission saving. This is over and above building regulations.
This new development is part of an exciting programme of over 1,000 new homes Essex Housing will deliver in the next five years. Around half of these are specialist or affordable housing to help older people and people with disabilities to live independently.
This site received around £124,000 of grant funding from the central government Land Release Fund 2020/21, as part of the One Public Estate. This was to support the use of council owned brownfield land for housing.