Kettering library roof replacement update
It follows storm damage in 2023
Planning permission and listed building consent have been given as part of proposals to replace the roof of the historic Cornerstone building.
A contractor is expected to be appointed in early 2025 and physical work will be able to begin on site.
It comes after the roof at the Grade 2 listed home to the area's library and art gallery was damaged in heavy rain in autumn 2023.
Cllr Helen Howell, North Northants' council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Sport, Leisure, Culture and Tourism explains more about the process for the work which involves specialist slate:
"This is a huge milestone for the roof replacement project, now we have the correct planning permission in place, which met the qualifying criteria to be granted under the Council’s scheme of delegation. This means that once a contractor has been appointed through a thorough and compliant tender process, physical work can start on site as soon as possible. With the contractor appointed, we will work with them to produce a full timeline for the works and residents can be assured that that timeline will be published, once it is agreed.
"In the meantime, we remain committed to being as transparent as possible and, as I have said previously, we are going through a full procurement exercise to ensure that the most suitable contractor completes the work for well within the budget we have set aside - a budget which is very much a worst-case scenario and includes a 20% contingency."