News, Politics

Developer promises to fix delayed Sherwood Library ‘not kept’, city councillor says

By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter

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Promises from a developer to fix a string of problems to get the long-delayed Sherwood Library open to the public have not been kept, a city councillor has said.

The opening of the library in Spondon Street was delayed beyond a planned summer opening last year, following the discovery of dozens of problems with the building.

Hockley Developments Ltd had been behind the development, but a hand-over to the council for the library’s final fit-out continues to be delayed by the need for essential work on the building.

Executive member for leisure and culture, Cllr Sam Lux (Lab), claimed in January all defects had been resolved – and the council pledged to open the library in summer 2025.

However, it is understood around 60 defects still remain.

Libraries campaigner Des Conway says responsibility for the problems is being pushed back and forth between Hockley Developments and the council.

He asked Cllr Lux for an update at Full Council on Monday (May 12).

Cllr Lux said: “I do share the frustration when it comes to the delays regarding Sherwood Library. I do have to reiterate it is the developer, Hockley Developments, who is contractually obliged to fix the outstanding building works which are causing the delays.

“We were optimistic that the snags were going to be fixed imminently and that is because we had very strong assurances from Hockley Developments that they were going to address the issues. Unfortunately that promise, along with many other promises, was not kept.

“The citizen has also requested the publication of legal paper work. As the library forms just a part of the wider development, the overall development contract isn’t something that the ordinary library service was involved in, so I am going to have to take advice whether we can agree to that as a council.

“I’d like to be able to give a clear timeline in terms of when the library will open, but of course we cannot open a library that is not safe or fit for purpose.

“We will be doing everything we can to proceed to make the building operational, as quickly as possible, in these difficult circumstances.”

Remaining problems include the installation of new entrance doors, replacement of plants on the living wall and confirmation of a working irrigation system, repairs to ceiling tiles which have been damaged by a leaking roof, and a non-functional toilet.

Two of the Sherwood ward’s councillors submitted a petition to the council on Monday, advocating to get the library open by July 15.

Cllr Nayab Patel (Lab) said: “Me and my fellow councillors have had various discussions with numerous residents on how much the residents of Sherwood, as a community, are missing out on not having a library.

“Since 2023 empty promises have been made of the reopening of Sherwood Library. Updates have been few and far between, without any credibility, ranging from the action of Hockley Developments and the actions of the council.

“Residents are now concerned this library might not open at all. With this petition we are demanding the council, and Hockley Developments, to escalate the reopening of the library.”

A spokesperson for Hockley Developments added: “Hockley Developments have never communicated with a Sam Lux.  

“As stated previously, the first floor could have been occupied at the same time as the ground and second floors if our fit out contractors had been asked to carry out the fit out in 2023 alongside the other floors.

“The build contractors and owners of the building continue to assist the council and encourage the opening of this first floor as soon as possible.”