Library is ‘like a garden shed’

A £500,000 village library refurbishment and extension has been condemned as a “garden shed”.

It has earned its nickname from locals because of its dark brown painted wooden front.

And angry parish councillor Bill Cullen has been joined by community champion, Councillor Barbara Beeley, in listing a catalogue of complaints about Lees Library, which stands in a conservation area in Thomas Street.

Parish councillor Cullen said: “The exterior is where mistakes have been made, starting with the basic design. What looks like a wooden lean-to attached to the front of a stone building is not what most people were expecting.

“It is in the conservation area and a design clad in stone, if not built in stone, would be more in keeping with the vast majority of surrounding stone properties.

“Siting the new build at the front was another poor decision as the area had potential to be remodelled to allow better use for community events,” he declared.

“An area at the rear of the building could have been used for the extension but is now lying idle.”

He said space at the library’s front is difficult to use because of its shape, while stone flags have been replaced with a mass of sloping black tarmac.

He added: “It does not have a flat, level surface anywhere much bigger than a large handkerchief. One only has to look at the planters either side of the front entrance to appreciate how ridiculous it looks.

“It certainly isn’t likely to be featured on a ‘Grand Designs’ programme, although the half million pound spend should have put it in that league instead of ‘The House That Jack Built’ where it has ended up.

“Just chalk it up to the spend first, think later attitude that has dogged Oldham for so long.”

Councillor Beeley said: “The external finish is extremely poor.

“Planters are at a crazy angle and do not match the cladding, the benches can only be put at one side because of the slopes and the rear extensions do not match.

“However, the biggest cause for concern is the tarmac hillock at the front. The claim is it has to slope in all directions because of the Disability Discrimination Act but disabled parking is to the left of the entrance and the pavement at either end of that stretch of road has a dropped kerb on to Thomas Street

“Part could be made flat to give an area for bands and community events such as Christmas carol singing.

“I am still pursuing these issues to see what improvements can be made to the outside.”

Councillor John McCann, Cabinet Member for Community Services and Housing, said: “The extension to Lees Library is a tremendous facility that has not only greatly improved the range of council services offered to local people but is energy efficient and fully accessible.

“The only comment received about the plans was a positive one stating that it would add more community spirit back into Lees.”