Time is running out to have your say in the Northcote library and community hall consultation.
The consultation, which will end on Saturday, March 11, is about whether to build a new library, community hall and apartments in Northcote Road, Battersea.
Battersea residents can visit the current library where an exhibition offers “comprehensive information” about the plans or go on the website www.northcotelibrary.co.uk.
In a letter to residents, the council’s community services spokesman Councillor Jonathan Cook said: “The aim is to build a bigger and better local library with an improved children’s section, alongside a new and improved community centre, able to offer much better accommodation to the groups that currently use it.”
However, there has been opposition from local residents about the plans.
A petition was launched, which had 713 signatures at the time of writing, to protect a nursery school with an Ofsted rating of outstanding from being demolished. If the plans go ahead, although they might be able to relocate, they would lose their playground.
Alphabet Nursery School opened in 1989, while the head teacher has been there since 1990. In addition to losing the play area, residents are worried the increased housing will put pressure on local amenities and that construction will cause air and noise pollution.
Allison McKenzie-Lewis, head teacher, said she is "pretty devastated" about the proposals.
Cllr Cook said: “The council is working with all the groups that currently use Chatham Hall and those who rent the adjacent garages to identify alternative accommodation - should these plans proceed. Our expectation would be for all the groups who use the community hall to return – if they want to – once the building works were finished.
He added: “These proposals are at a very early stage and nothing has been decided. Whether or not this scheme proceeds will depend largely on the results of the public consultation, and I would therefore strongly urge you to contribute to this process.”
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