Reopening of Killyleagh Library could face delays

Reopening of Killyleagh Library could face delays

21 February 2024

KILLYLEAGH Library may not reopen until the summer following an £800,000 investment to remove the top floor of the High Street facility to provide a new eco building.

Libraries NI is carrying out the work to create what is being described as a sustainable, low energy building which will be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland.

Library chiefs say the upper floor of the library – which is adjacent to the town’s historic castle – has limited accessibility and is not used for the provision of library services.

It was formerly used as an further education training facility created by the building’s previous owners. 

Libraries NI says the investment is to provide 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.

There were a number of objections to the controversial proposal and while it was hoped building work would be completed by the spring, the library is not now expected to reopen until the summer.

Planners ruled the scheme to reduce the size of the current library would 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 related to the “inappropriateness of the design” of the proposed new building.

Planners said the reuse of the library’s ground floor is welcome 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.

They said the existing library built in the 1970s “contributes little” to the character of the Killyleagh conservation area at this part of the town and that its modification would not cause “any greater demonstrable greater harm” than the existing building.

Planner said the redevelopment scheme was “sympathetic and respectful” to the conservation area and will protect, preserve and enhance its character and appearance.                                                                                                                                      

Last week, Strangford MLA Michelle McIlveen and Rowallane councillor Callum Bowsie met with Libraries NI officials Sean Beattie and Adrienne Adair to discuss progress on the scheme and discuss the library’s future.

Welcoming the “significant investment”, Ms McIlveen said it provides residents with confidence in the long-term provision of library services in Killyleagh which have been under threat in recent years. 

I would like to thank Libraries NI for its ongoing cooperation in relation to the refurbishment of Killyleagh library,” she added.

Cllr Bowsie, along with Ms McIlveen, met with Libraries NI chief executive in November to discuss the pending renovation of Killyleagh Library.

“There were a number of concerns and ideas we raised and Libraries NI has been very good at following up on quite a number of matters,” he said.

“We recently met Libraries NI on site and work is progressing well. However, the initial timescale of reopening in the spring will now more likely be the summer.”

The Rowallane councillor said the £800,000 eco project involves the removal of the library’s top floor that had become unusable for many years. 

“It’s good to see this renovation well underway to provide a more aesthetically pleasing building in this iconic part of the village beside the castle,” he continued.

“The project is a major boast for Killyleagh Library, but it needs to be done right, with the community in mind. That is why Michelle and I facilitated a further meeting between Libraries NI and the three main community groups in Killyleagh.”

Describing the meeting as “positive”, Cllr Bowsie said it provided an opportunity to discuss the various ways the various groups in the town can complement one another for the benefit of the whole community.”

During the November meeting, Cllr Bowsie asked asked for a temporary library to be provided and has revealed that the Bridge Community Centre has agreed to hold a limited number of books for public use.

He also welcomed refurbishment work underway at Ballynahinch Library, with moves in place to extend Saintfield Library’s opening hours.