Early Carnegie library to be restored

The project is one of the critical elements of the ambitious Plumstead Urban Framework, aimed at delivering the renewal and regeneration of the Plumstead area and providing modern leisure facilities and services for the local community.

Plumstead Library was built in 1903, one of the first Carnegie funded Libraries, a prominent civic building on Plumstead High Street. The re-design incorporates the historic features of the Grade II Listed library into a new complex which combines library, leisure and cultural facilities. It was developed after consultation with local residents about what they wanted from the new facility.

The redevelopment will involve the internal refurbishment of the existing Grade II Listed library building, demolition of the non-listed extension to the rear, and redevelopment of part of the site comprising a two-storey extension with leisure facilities, public realm improvement works and cycle parking.

The architect for the £11.8m project is Hawkins\Brown. As part of the early design works the original vaulted ceiling was re-discovered, having been hidden away for over 70 years, and the proposed work will reveal the original ceiling with reinstated skylights, returning it to the original 1903 design.