Local Voice for the Walkley Carnegie Building

Issues with the Planning Application.
1. No environmental impact statement. This is of concern as there is no provision for parking, no plans to minimise noise to neighbours or extract fan noise/smell.
2. Disability access is demeaning passing through smoking & service areas.
3. Smoking areas are either in disability access area or close to neighbours/public thoroughfare.
3. Drawings appear to be incomplete with no drawings showing a X-section through proposed library part – a crucial omissions since the chords on the roof trusses over the children's library may prevent the installation of a proposed mezzanine without unacceptable alterations to the Grade II listed building.
4. There are no details of gutters & fascias to the new extension, & little detail of stone walls - colour, finish & coursing).
5. Extract ducts are shown on some but not all drawings – purpose unclear
Comments, can be made to Sheffield Council: http://publicaccess.sheffield.gov.uk/online-applications/

On 16/2/16, True North Brew Co. submitted a Planning Application for a change of use for the Walkley Carnegie Library Building.
The Application describes "Use of part of the building as a cafe bar". The majority of the building will be used as a cafe bar & this is the main use of the building. Although provision is made for a small library, the building will be owned and run by the cafe bar. The supporting statement quotes Policy CF2 which "requires planners to refuse development that would result in the loss of a community facility, unless it is unavoidable or where equivalent accommodation exists elsewhere" but claims that "the retention of library addresses this policy".
Although a much reduced library service will be retained, we are very concerned that the much reduced space results in a reduced service in an unsuitable environment & will experience severe fundraising constraints- important if the (voluntary) library service is to survive & not be subsumed by the cafe bar.

Last Wednesday Sheffield City Council held a Scrutiny Commission to examine the decision to sell the Freehold of Walkley Carnegie Library Building. The decision was upheld to sell the Freehold. A letter in the Sheffield Star sums up our feelings:
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/letters-opinion/shame-on-them-for-tantalising-public-1-7389676

We are now thinking what our next moves are. Despite the decision to sell the Freehold there are some actions we can take to ensure that the library space to be allocated within the cafe/bar has the best chance of survival and, of course, your thoughts are welcome.

Scrutiny Meeting today Wednesday, 29th July, 5pm at the Town Hall - please do come and make your opinions heard....

Just a reminder that the Council's decision to sell the Freehold of Walkley Carnegie Building to a private buyer will be examined at SCRUTINY COMMITTEE at the Town Hall, Wednesday 29th July at 5pm.
These meetings are open to the public - do come and make your opinions heard!

On 1 July Sheffield City Council announced that an agreement had been reached to sell the freehold of the Walkley Carnegie Library building to Forum Café Bars. But it's not over yet!!!
Our councillors have called in the decision - which means that before it can be finalised it goes before a scrutiny board, and we will have a chance to put our case for the sale of the library to be stopped. As we get to know more we will let you know how you can have your say too. Thanks so much for your support so far. Watch this space....

We met with the three councillors for Walkley yesterday and appreciate that they will support us to work together with the Library Committee. The Councillors are however of the opinion that people don't care about the building being sold or having a cafe/wine bar at its core. This is despite the Walkley Carnegie Library Futures Group saying there is "little appetite for a facility which required a permanent pub or liquor license as a core feature of the future library" and so far, despite your signatures - so please do keep signing!
We are asking that citizens have a say in the future of the building. Please do be in touch if you would like further information...

Just a quick note to thank those who have written to the council ...I have seen some copies of excellent letters ... very much appreciated.
Also a big thank you to those who have forwarded this link to their friends and colleagues.

We have at last had a letter back from Community Services Executive Team. But we have had no replies from the Walkley Councillors to letters sent at the beginning of June.
The letter from the Executive provides no new information on how the deal between Sheffield City Council and Cafe Forum Bars has been agreed. It does not acknowledge the dissent voiced by Walkley residents when it was learnt that the price of retaining a small library space would mean the loss of the Carnegie Building Freehold. Please be in touch for copies of the letter or more info. Good luck to all who are struggling with similar issues.

Really heartened by these responses - thank you Walkley, Sheffield and all

We are asking the councillors for a face to face meeting - so please do sign. This will help us say that the council needs to take account of what people are saying.
Your comments (reasons for signing) are great to have too.

Just a quick note to thank all for their signatures. We have written to the head of the Council (again), to the 3 councillors for Walkley Ward and the local MP (Paul Blomfield) to try and get some answers - the more signatures we have, the more chance we have to at least halt the sale and discuss the process. So thanks again!