New library plans set to be unveiled

Sep 26 2007 By Neil Elkes,Birmingham Mail

CITY leader Mike Whitby is set to end seven years of delays and indecision when he unveils plans for Birmingham's new Central Library next month.

The Tory council chief is expected to confirm a Centenary Square site as the chosen location for the new library.

It will ends years of speculation over the library's future, including a controversial split site plan with a city centre lending library and archives at Eastside.

Now Birmingham City Council is preparing to lift the wraps off the chosen scheme on October 12, before presenting it to the cabinet for rubber stamping on October 22.

Once approved the council will appoint developers to get work under way by next summer.

Although there is no official confirmation, it is believed the library will be built on the car park between Baskerville House and the Birmingham Rep Theatre, with the archive section buried underground.

It will then free up the 1974 built Central Library and Paradise Forum for redevelopment.

The scheme has been on the cards since 2000 when the then Labour administration was forced to choose between a fresh start or an expensive refurbishment of the existing building.

World famous architect Sir Richard Rogers then drew up a plan for a landmark library at Eastside, where the vast sums of Government regeneration money available would have offset the £180 million price tag.

The current Tory-Lib Dem coalition scrapped that plan when they took control of the council in 2004.

Their two site alternative was halted following a feasibility study and critical scrutiny inquiry.

Coun Whitby will launch the new project after his trip to China and the Tory Party conference.