St James St Library Campaign

The council is currently consulting (hmm…) about the masterplan for redeveloping the High St (which includes St James St area).  The consultation can be accessed here.  Amongst other things, on the first page it asks what you think of their plans for community facilities, etc.

The Prince of Wales foundation’s report, which was the basis of the masterplan, stated in early 2007 that there was a ’severe lack’ of daytime and evening cultural, community and leisure provision in the High St area, and that the council must act to create a ‘critical mass’ of such facilities.  The council’s first response was to close St James St library!

As for the actual proposals, in my view, vague, long term and unfunded plans are no substitute for an open, fully functioning library.  (is anyone remembering the promises that were made about the arcade site…?!)