13 July 2010
A new £7.5 million library and community
building with new homes in the heart of Rainham Village was last
night given the green light by the London Thames Gateway
Development Corporation (LTGDC).
The historic village is one of the eight key
areas identified by the LTGDC for regeneration in east London and
it has already invested over £24.3 million in the area, buying land
necessary to revitalise the village.
The plans submitted to LTGDC include a new
2-storey public library to replace the current Rainham Library
located on the Broadway, a new Lifelong Learning Centre, 16 new
residential units for immediate tenure, a café and a new 820sq m
public open space for the area. The scheme will also
incorporate a future bus rail interchange facility that was granted
consent by the London borough of Havering in October 2009.
Peter Andrews, LTGDC Chief Executive,
said:
“This new facility will provide a
fantastic community asset and underlines our continued commitment
to Rainham Village and east London as a whole. Plans for it were
conceived at the height of the worst recession to hit the UK in
over 60 years. Maintaining the momentum for regeneration during
this time was critical and saw us assume an active developer role
to drive the project through. It’s this action that has secured the
delivery of an excellent community building and a vital addition to
Rainham’s regeneration.”
Cllr Andrew Curtin, Cabinet Member for Towns
and Communities with special responsibility for Culture at Havering
Council said:
"I'm very pleased that the Development
Corporation has granted permission for this fine small building,
which lifts the spirits and sits perfectly in its
surroundings. It really will help mark Rainham out as one of
the most charming historic villages for miles."
Award winning architects Maccreanor Lavington will design the
community building and new homes, which will include space within
the lower floors’ library and learning centre for 40,000 books,
computers, community meeting rooms, a play group and a public
advice centre. The apartments will be located on the upper
floors of the building.
LTGDC together with the London Borough of
Havering will work on the construction of the building and fit out
of the residential apartments, Havering Council will be responsible
for the design and fit out of the community space.