By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
The developer behind Sherwood Library has promised the new facility will open soon after more than 100 defects were found in the building.
Sherwood ward councillor, Adele Williams (Lab), said in a Facebook post the delays in its opening were “solely down to Hockley Developments”, which is behind the scheme.
A contract with the local developer to demolish the old library in Spondon Street and build a new facility, with added commercial space and housing, was first signed in 2020.
It came after a consultation took place in 2017 to determine the future of the library, owing to its poor state of repair.
However in March this year, progress on the site stalled following the collapse of the scheme’s previous contractor, Dako Construction Limited.
This firm appointed administrators in January 2023, and a new contractor has since been appointed.
While the library building was handed back to the council towards the end of 2023, the authority says it is unable to complete its fit-out due to snagging issues.
In the Facebook post, Cllr Williams said: “It is true the building was signed over to the council in December.
“This was, however, under the proviso that they would complete a large number of snagging works identified, including the atrium which was not watertight and problems around the fire system installed in the library, along with over 134 other defect issues identified just on the library elements of the build alone.”
Cllr Williams said progress on the snagging issues had been slow, and the council has formally written to Hockley Developments’ solicitor seeking a resolution and potential litigation.
“In the last couple of weeks we have seen some actions taking place following some press interest, but due to Hockley defaulting on paying for the electricity for the site, and the library consequently becoming disconnected, many of the systems installed by them on site haven’t been adequately tested,” Cllr Williams said in the post.
“In the last couple of weeks, following a meeting with Hockley and the new owners of the building, Bassi Properties Ltd, we have started to see some action taking place.
“Due to their poor track record to date, it is difficult for us to have certainty on whether they will complete the outstanding works which they are well aware.”
“While we are committed to library provision in Sherwood, we’re not prepared to accept a sub-standard building from which to operate.”
Sainsbury’s opened on the ground floor in December 2023 and seven residential apartments on the second floor are now occupied.
All concerns were put to Hockley Developments and a spokesperson said: “We understand the library should open soon on the first floor, this was also handed over in Dec 2023 to the council on practical completion.
“This space is double the size of the old library and has an outdoor terrace, and will be a fantastic space for young and old to enjoy.
“As you may remember the old library did not even have public toilets, with visitors having to use a portaloo behind the building, so a huge, positive change, with the new space having a family room, meeting rooms, and a large open plan modern central space for visitors to enjoy.
“Our agreement with the council was that they would do their own internal fit out before opening. We note this has started with the flooring now down.
“On any new build there will be snags. [The] industry standard is a 12-month snagging period, and our After Care Manager is working through these daily with the council, and has made excellent progress recently, and we believe the final snags should be completed by the end of this month, and should not be stopping the rest of the internal fit out taking place.
“We can assure residents we want to see this highly sustainable library open as much as they do.
“Our construction contractors are on site as we develop phase two behind the library, developing 12 new family homes and 22 apartments, and the sub-contractors know to prioritise any snags on phase one.”
