| According
to the details supplied on the application form the question,
How many vehicles (including employee cars) will visit the
site during a normal working day? The
answers given were Light Vans
Existing 1 After Development 1 - Cars Existing 1 After Development
2.
Vehicle access to the library and the flats are more or less
directly opposite
the entrance to the post office car park.
Two or more cars on Holmfield
Avenue West waiting
to enter Hinckley Road will completely clog up the road!
A more suitable alternative
to the proposed site has been identified
next to the Parish Hall on Kings Drive, Forest
East Park. There is adequate space for parking and more importantly
room for additional expansion should the need arise for a
youth club or other facility to give our youngsters some where
to go off an evening.
What could be more
beneficial to visitors to a new library facility, built on
Forest East Park with ample parking for those unable to walk.
Users of the library could then have the opportunity to sit
outside in beautiful surroundings? With a little more forethought
the addition of a refreshment outlet within the library would
benefit from additional income.
The area close to the
Parish Hall is under utilised and as a consequence is currently
in the 'ownership' of youths that congregate around the area.
The addition of a new library would bring in more frequent
visitors both young families teenagers and our more senior
residents.
This in itself would
offer a deterrent to youths that congregate in the area and
cause mischief and damage. In a community of watching eyes
and listening ears undesirables fear getting caught and lose
their power to intimidate.
Who knows they (the youths) may even decide to borrow a book
in the art of graffiti or a thesaurus, at least then we may
have something more pleasing to they eye than the current
phallic symbols and more inspired writings on the Parish office
walls and floors.
There is no doubt that
a new modern library is a welcome facility and provision of
the the two flats would also be well received, however the
proposed location on Holmfield Avenue West does not make sense.
Surprisingly
enough according to the supporting
statement, a parish council survey of non users of the
library were asked what would encourage them to use the library.
36% identified larger/better stock and 20% a new and larger
library building. In the survey of youth 58% identified the
need for a larger library with more space for books, CDs and
computers. Viewing the plans for the new library it is quite
clear that the proposed floor area for books is more or less
the same size as the current library. Any detailed location
preference by non-users appears to have been omitted.
Councillor
David Parsons would I'm sure be pleased to receive your comments
and opinions on the site of the proposed new library. You
can contact him via
email dparsons@leics.gov.uk
or telephone
Bus. Phone: 0116 265 6100
If
you would like to comment on this application please complete
this form. >>> ON-LINE
FORM <<<
Links
to documentation on the Leicestershire County Council website
Application
Details
Publicity - Site Notice - Downloads Word doc
Supporting
Information - Statutory Consultee List - Downloads Word
doc
Application
Forms -Downloads PDF file
Design
and Access Statement -Downloads PDF file
Plans
- Site Plan - Downloads PDF file
Plans
- Ground, First & Location Plan -Downloads PDF file
Elevations
-Downloads PDF file
Supporting
Information - Supporting Statement - Downloads PDF file
Publicity
- Neighbour Notification List - Download Word doc
Applicant:
Leicestershire County Council
Proposed replacement library and two flats, Leicester
Forest East library, Holmfield Avenue West, Leicester
Forest East
Inspect the application at:
Planning Department
Blaby District Council
Council Offices
Desford Road
Narborough
Leics LE19 2EP
Community Services Department
(Planning Group)
Leicestershire County Council
County Hall
Glenfield
Leicester LE3 8TE
LCC web site
using the Planning Online Search Facility at: www.leics.gov.uk/eplanning_searchform.htm
For more information please contact the case officer
– Phil Larter:
Telephone – 0116 265 7292 Email – planningcontrol@leics.gov.uk
Fax – 0116 265 7965 Minicom – 0116 265 7334
|
| Shown below is the the
site plan with the outline of the proposed new
library |
 |
| LFE
LIBRARY (DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT)
LOCATION
16 HINCKLEY ROAD, LEICESTER FOREST
EAST, LEICESTER, LE3 3FF
1. USE
General background to existing building use, research
into alternative sites, new buildings required accommodation,
liaison with other bodies, conclusion – Policy
R2/R1 (i)
Leicester Forest Library was opened in 1982 and had
previously been a classroom and a dance hall.
It is constructed of encapsulated asbestos based products
that make it difficult to adapt or improve, it is classed
as a temporary structure and is within the latter half
of its anticipated economic life-span.
Due to its construction the building has a difficult
working environment and the library service has received
many complaints from users about this, especially in
the summer.
The building has a gross internal area of 111 square
metres whereas the minimum specification for any new
build library for a community of this size is 180 square
metres.
A recent survey of users highlighted the need to replace
the library with a building which could offer a modern
service.
Category
|
Adequate(%) |
Poor
(%) |
Very
poor (%) |
Provision
of seating and tables |
37.3 |
4.9 |
0.7 |
Attractiveness
of the library outside |
48.3 |
16.8 |
2.1 |
Attractiveness of the library
inside |
29.9 |
6.8 |
0.7 |
Choice of books |
23.8 |
5.3 |
|
How good are the computer facilities |
16.7 |
2.6 |
0.9 |
Despite its size the building is well
used by the community it serves and its proximity to
nearby shops, including the post office and local school
leads to a significant number of users from outside
of the ‘normal’ catchment area using the
library.
When the department was considering how and where best
to locate a replacement library, it undertook a comprehensive
options appraisal.
In terms of library location these included looking
at building on church owned land, building within the
grounds of the local school (found insufficient available
for own use), land in private ownership (including restaurant/hotel
car parking space and garage) and land held by the parish
council.
The results of this appraisal coupled with the results
of the parish council’s own public consultation
exercise into the library replacement location, and
an analysis of where library users were living, came
to the conclusion that the current site was the preferred
solution albeit a much larger building was needed. Ideally
it was felt this new facility should include other community
services such as parish council officers and a room
for police/ other organisations surgeries. |
4. SCALE
The new library equates to approximately
the same ‘ridge’ height as the existing
shop, by utilising a low pitch roofing system (sheet
material).
(Current library single storey).
Although of O/A larger mass, Policy R1(iv) is considered
compliant by virtue of the disposition and configuration
of the new structure, retaining adequate ‘space’
around the building and continuing the ‘street
scene’.
Building elements relate to ‘hole in the wall’
– residential and ‘shopfront’ for
the clients display customer attraction purposes.
Cont/d…above right.
5. LANDSCAPING
It is intended that the ‘private’ area
to the rear will comprise a variety of decorative/colourful
species being the only access point, utilising blends
or hard landscape in sympathetic format – block
paving etc .
The formal front area to be treated with substantial
planting to resist the abuse of ‘open access’
incorporating suitable trees to replace the existing
species lost.
A combination of tarmacadam/block paver will form
the parking/pedestrian access, in level format to
be DDA compliant.
Boundary treatment (east) (south) – 1800mm close
board fence, (north) – knee rail, (west) –
weld mesh. Profile including gates. Security will
be paramount with ‘open’ site thus containment
building/boundary west/east.
6. APPEARANCE
Policy R1 (iii) (v) R2 – the architectural treatment
proposed utilises the surrounding ‘theme’
of feature render panels, mixed with facing brickwork
(type/colour to approval). Upper floor reflecting
‘residential’ aspect with smaller windows
(lower larger glazing for customer attraction).
All elevations will retain contracting ‘dark’
brick plinth – splash course and feature string
course – possible soldier work or glazed block
window/door units in RAL coloured aluminium. Roofing/gutters/verge
– colour coated aluminium.
The flat entrance is emphasised – sloping down
towards the southern boundary to lessen the ‘mass’
and lead the ‘vista; up to the main roof. (All
materials reflect zero/very low maintenance factors
with pre colour/finished specification).
7. CONTEXT
The proposal seeks to be a community user facility
and ‘visual’ focal whilst not detracting
from the predominate residential area.
Albeit the ‘adjacent’ post office/bank
and hot/cold food outlet are “commercial”
with these associated off/on road parking areas. The
proposal does not seek to be an island within a tarmac
sea, but integrate whilst replacing and enhancing
the facility/area.
8. ACCESS
Policy T3 (i) (ii) – initial consultation has
taken place with the Highway Authority and observations
incorporated – (5.46) TIA is in course of preparation.
Policy T6 – off road parking library 6 no spaces
and disabled (flats 4 no spaces).
The site allows for single entrance/exit per function
(library/flats) – no through site route. Provision
for pedestrian/disabled/cycle users (cycle racks at
main entrance). Policy T12 – adopted –
access all public areas for persons of restricted
mobility.
Policy T5 – it is considered that the proposal
will minimise environmental
impact of the site – (supporting TIA) building.
Emergency services access to 75% building perimeter.
PS/A/CAH/T/812731/A1
LJF1424
|
| In addition, in
line with a desire to provide low cost living accommodation
and to use the space more efficiently and reduce the
projects overall costs two flats have been included
in the proposed development.
In the parish council survey non users of the library
were asked what would
encourage them to use the library. 36% identified larger/better
stock and
20% a new and larger building. In the survey of youth
58% identified the
need for a larger library with more space for books,
CDs and computers.
2. AMOUNT
(of development proposed)
The requirement briefed is for a single unit of a library,
public area together with associated staff/storage accommodation.
However the opportunity to include space for the ‘parish
council and police liaison’ is utilised Economy
of the footprint and project cost reduction is further
proposed by the inclusion of 2 No. letable flats at
first floor level.
The building footprint will occupy approximately 25%
of the total site are; equivalent to the combined areas
of the existing library and retail uses.
3. LAYOUT
The 2 No built units are proposed to
be demolished and replaced with a single building.
The proposal is orientated to ‘showcase’
the library contents to the north and west boundaries
being pedestrian routes; (also permitting reduction
of passive solar control with large glazed areas thus
sited).
Consideration to the need for public vehicular parking/access/surveillance
in a direct formal approach setting, dictated that the
library is inset into the site with access situated
a distance from the junction (A47). Flats are organised
to be access from the rear and served by their own secure
parking zone and on site turning facility.
The adjacent existing residence on Hinckley Road currently
extends up to and along the boundary of the site. It
is proposed that the development does not encroach nearer
than the current storage area and ‘sets’
back approximately 5 metres behind the line of the existing
shop front.
Albeit parking is sited ‘concurrent’ with
the existing, the library use hours are less onerous
than the ‘newspaper shop’. Development is
removed from the boundary with residents to the rear.
(Holmfield Avenue West) and inset approximately 11 metres
and designated as private parking (secure).
|
| The floor areas of the
current and proposed library have been coloured
for comparison, you can clearly see that the floor
areas are more or less identical |
I
|
Library plan not what's needed
Leicester Forest East Civic Centre - what a grand-sounding
title for a small library!
The reality is that the small wooden hut is to be replaced
by a larger building, which
has little extra floor space for the library proper.
There will be a couple of extra rooms, including a parish
office (civic centre?). This is to be built on the current
site (not where the parish council wanted), involving the
purchase of extra land.
The proposal to have it located
on parish land by the hall, where there is more room and more
parking, was mysteriously rejected.
It wouldn't be anything to do with the decision to have rent-generating
flats on the first floor, would it?
Whatever the reason, LFE is
to get a library smaller than it needs in a position that
is inconvenient for most of the parish.
Dennis Walker, LFE.
Source Leicester
Mercury 25th October 2007 |
