Havering (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Havering Council will review proposals for three former library sites next week, with discussions set to shape future community use and redevelopment plans.
Coming Wednesday (December 10), Havering Council’s press will review plans for the Gidea Park, Harold Wood, and South Hornchurch libraries.
The three libraries, which were closed in April of this time in an attempt to save money for the council, have been reviewed, with council officers and press members considering unborn options for each position.
A council report released before next Wednesday’s meeting discloses that, as a result of this process, two of the three libraries are scheduled for demolition.
Gidea Park Library will be demolished to make way for a new six- person installation for impaired children, near to the projected Balgores Special School.
The thing is to begin erecting in August 2026, following planning concurrence, and have it ready for use by August 2027.
While South Hornchurch Library is also listed to be demolished, no final decision will be made until it’s determined whether maintaining the being structures will affect a better offer for redevelopment.
South Hornchurch Library has previously been listed on the property website Zoopla, although no price has been stated.
The demolition of both buildings is projected to cost £230,000, which the cabinet is asked to accept at its meeting; however, according to the report, this money will be returned “in the form of reduced development costs” later on.
Meanwhile, the Harold Wood Library has been designated an asset of community value( ACV) following a successful operation from the Harold Wood Foundation.
This means that the community has the right to be notified of a decision to vend the point and to prepare a bid for it.
The foundation is looking into using the library for a number of community-based programs.
However, the study discloses that during the review process, officials and cabinet members preferred redeveloping the land for housing,
“ideally by the council or its housing company, Mercury Land Holdings”.
Cabinet members have simply been asked to take notice of the foundation’s suggestions as they are still being evaluated.
What are the council’s reasons for proposing demolition of two libraries?
Havering Council proposes demolishing two of the three closed libraries( likely Gidea Park and Harold Wood) due to their poor physical condition and high conservation costs, making retention uneconomical under the 2024- 2029 Library Strategy.
Sites assessed as nearing” end- of- life” with structural issues; form costs exceed repurposing value, per officer/ press reviews. Closures saved£ 1.2 m annually; obliteration enabled land deals or redevelopment to fund core 6- library network( e.g., Romford, Hornchurch).
Branches had declining visits( under 20 capacity); strategy prioritizes high- hour capitals over scattered spots, meeting 1964 Public Libraries Act duties via druthers like mobile libraries and digital access. Cabinet decides December 10, 2025; third point( South Hornchurch) eyed for indispensable use. Public counterreaction noted but inadequate for reversal.