Langside Library closure

24/12/2024

Langside Library, 2 Sinclair Dr, Glasgow G42 9QE

Langside Library closure - news update

Langside, Battlefield & Camphill Community Council (LBCCC) is very concerned that Langside Library - and the Library Garden - are scheduled to close prematurely, ahead of approval of detailed planning permission being granted and completion of the necessary preliminaries to allow works towards refurbishment of the building to begin on site.

As previously reported, Langside Library is planned to close soon for a major refurbishment. While the exact date for closure has yet to be announced, Library staff presume this will be Christmas Eve.  https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/about-us/colleague-information/colleague-updates/langside-library-refurbishment

At a meeting of LBCCC last Tuesday, we were pleased to have Councillor Susan Aitken - elected for Langside Ward and Leader of Glasgow City Council - in attendance, and able to report on and answer questions about the Library closure plans. Key points included:

• the Library refurbishment is fully funded Glasgow City Council's Community Asset Fund
• Langside Library is scheduled to re-open in Winter 2026/27. The 2-year timeline for works is a maximum, it may be possible to re-open the Library sooner.
• the programme of works will result in significant improvements to Langside Library, with a new accessible entranceway on Battlefield Road, a children's zone, a bookable community meeting room and more toilets, including a Changing Places toilet. The detailed plans are on display at the Library currently and online at https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/media/he1oxk0p/240830_langside-library-community-consultation-boards_dc-compressed.pdf
• the Library Garden, created and cared for by dedicated volunteers and very popular with the local community, will also close to provide a space for use by the building contractors, City Building. Glasgow Life has provided assurances to Friends of Langside Library Garden that will allow for reinstatement of the community garden at the end of the project.
• The detailed proposal for works to the Langside Library has been submitted to planning.
• The City's planning portal - https://publicaccess.glasgow.gov.uk/online-applications/ ref: 24/02486/FUL - notes the last date for comments as 27 November with 3 January 2025 as a target date for decision.
• The planned closure of the Library (date tbc, likely Christmas Eve) is based on a programme that envisages decanting the contents of the Library in January ahead of the start of building works on site in February 2025.

Councillor Aitken was asked about the timeline for starting work to the Library and whether, given the plans have yet to be considered by the Planning Committee, there isn't likely to be a delay to the programme such that the Library could remain open for a few extra months.  

Councillor Aitken responded that Glasgow Life are confident that works on site will begin in February as per the planned programme.

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