Campaigners have responded angrily to a suggestion that Wilmslow Library may be used for housing as part of the multi-million pound redevelopment of the town.
Wilmslow town council is working with Cheshire East on a Town Vision – a plan for the next 20 years to help Wilmslow become a major economic and cultural centre.
This includes a ‘lifestyle hub’ for leisure facilities, library and theatre and early indications are that this will be behind the current leisure centre.
Objectors, including Clive Bassil from the Wilmslow Trust, have pleaded with the council not to build on Rectory Fields and to keep the library where it is in the town centre. Resident Christine McClory is taking a petition around shops and pubs.
Now residents have been rattled by the suggestion that the library site will be used for housing.
It is understood that Coun Michael Jones, Cabinet member for resources, has said that once the lifestyle centre is built they will look at what to do with the old library and this may include housing.
Mr Bassil said: “We don’t agree the library should be moved out of the centre and want proper consultation with the residents of Wilmslow.
“We also want to make sure Rectory Fields is saved.”
Mrs McClory said: “I’m against any plans to move the library – many of the users are elderly and it will be difficult for them to go to a new site.
“We have already got a leisure centre and the library was recently refurbished at great cost – we don’t need a lifestyle centre.”
David Hall, who owns Stationery Solutions on Chapel Lane, says the petition is getting a lot of support.
The council said nothing is set in stone and there will be a wide consultation. Coun Jones was unavailable for comment.
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It is still not clear about 'consultation'. CheshireEast is 'talking with' selected groups and societies but this is far from 'a full consultation'.Last November,Council representatives talked about displays in various parts of Wilmslow on a number of days.The latest idea seems to be one day in one location which would be no meaningful improvement on CEC's last 'consultation' at the Library which produced a meagre 94 responses.
Ray Acton
Wilmslow library is a dynamic and interesting library offering services and information as well as books and resources. It is conveniently situated and a lively friendly place. I remember that, particularly when I first moved to the area, it was really useful to help us settle in. My whole family liked borrowing stuff and it has always been a nice place to drop into during a rainy shopping trip. The library is an asset to the town and one of the reasons why Wilmslow is a great place to live. Many small towns in the UK would be over the moon to have a library like it. I've moved away recently and I miss it. Don't change what doesn't need fixing.
I have never heard anything so stupid in my life. The library should be left alone to do what its been doing very well for the last xxxx years. Shame on anyone who thinks otherwise.
I remember Wilmslow Library from 40 years ago. Always closed half day on Saturday. Not much use. Still the same. Just everywhere else is now open on Sunday.