Controversial £750k plans for single-storey Killyleagh Library

Controversial £750k plans for single-storey Killyleagh Library

18 October 2023

PLANNING officials are recommending that a controversial proposal by education officials to spend almost £750,000 of taxpayers money to remove the top floor of Killyleagh Library should proceed.

Their approval recommendation will be discussed at this morning’s meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Planning Committee.

The move is being spearheaded by Libraries NI which is planning to carry out the work at the High Street building as the education sector grapples with a significant financial crisis.

Members of the Killyleagh Development Association (KDA) have described the proposal for the partial demolition of the current two storey library building — which enjoys protected status and is located within the town’s conservation area — as “indiscriminate, ill-judged, lacking foresight and a serious waste of money”.

It has formally objected to the planning application Libraries NI has submitted to develop what is being described as an eco-library with the KDA encouraging local people to unite in opposition to the plan which has been labelled a “major error”.

It has been confirmed ahead of today’s meeting that planners have received 20 objections to the Libraries NI proposal and one letter in support of the development.

The organisation has received funding from the Department for Communities to support engaging a design team to develop a project for upgrading Killyleagh library’s facilities, with the aim of creating a sustainable, low energy building.

Libraries NI says the upper floor of the building, which is adjacent to the town’s historic castle, has limited accessibility and is not used for the provision of library services having formerly been an further education training facility created by the building’s previous owners. 

In addition, the organisation says the design proposals focus on creating a single storey, sustainable, low energy library facility by upgrading and refurbishing the ground floor structure, removing the upper floor and installing a new thermally efficient roof structure.

Earlier this year, the organisation confirmed that no funding was available at present to progress the project beyond the planning and design development phase, with further progress and delivery subject to future government funding decisions.

The KDA argues that in the current climate of financial stress facing all government departments, the library proposal was a “serious waste of money” and that its potential closure to allow the redevelopment work to take place would be a “major inconvenience.”

The organisation insists the current building is unique in design, exhibiting the period when it was built and should be retained for future generations.

Libraries NI said Killyleagh library’s upper floor has limited accessibility and is not used for the provision of library services having formerly been a further education training facility created by the building’s previous owners. 

“The design proposals focus on creating a single storey, sustainable, low energy library facility by upgrading and refurbishing the ground floor structure, removing the upper floor and installing a new thermally efficient roof structure,” it said.

In papers made public ahead of today’s meeting, planners say the proposal to reduce the size of the current building will have no impact on the town’s conservation area or adjoining properties which enjoy protected status.

They say the majority of objections to the Libraries NI proposal relate to the inappropriateness of the design of the proposed new building.

Planners say the reuse of the library’s ground floor is welcomed and that reducing the height of the building may afford more open views of High Street and Dufferin Place, with the much reduced entrance feature considered “sympathetic” and in keeping with the existing conservation area.

Planners say the existing library built in the 1970s “contributes little” to the character of the conservation area at this part of the town and that its modification does not cause “any greater demonstrable greater harm” than the existing building.evelopment is considered “sympathetic and respectful” to the conservation area and will protect, preserve and enhance its character and appearance.