Updated plans which show how the Bretton Library building could also be used as a base for the Dementia Resource Centre have been published.
The plans are available to view on the planning portal, accessible from the council’s website, as part of a formal request to change the use of part of the building at The Cresset so it can also be used for the Dementia Resource Centre (DRC).
Each service will have its own designated area within the building. The proposed plans show that the library will occupy the lower ground floor and most of the upper ground floor, which equates to two thirds of the total space.
The DRC will take most of the ground floor space with an upper ground floor office. This equates to approximately one third of the total space.
If the council’s planning department supports the change of use, works will commence in March to reconfigure the building so that it can be used for the library and the DRC from May 2025. The library service will support its users where possible, leading up to and during the closure.
The library team will gradually introduce the self-service system, in addition to its usual opening hours, making the facility more accessible to the community for more hours each week.
Councillor Shabina Qayyum, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said: “I am pleased that we have now reached the stage where we can show people our plans for the building including how much space will be allocated to each service.
“Both the library and the DRC are important community facilities, and I have personally worked hard with officers to ensure that we are using the space in the best possible way and providing the best services possible with the budget that we have available.
“The transfer of the Dementia Resource will be seamless so there will be no impact for service users. There will, however, need to be a temporary closure of Bretton Library from February so the building can be refurbished, we will be communicating with library users when the change of use decision is made. At this point we will highlight alternative temporary arrangements for library users.”
The council has agreed a contract with the Alzheimer's Society until March 2027 to ensure the DRC can continue supporting those who rely on it for help and support.
Group sessions and activities which run over a three day a week period will continue and will be supplemented by other activities running on the remaining two days a week.
The Alzheimer's Society's expert Dementia Advisors will also continue to provide their guidance within the community to those who need it on a daily basis.
CPFT Memory Clinic will not be based in the new location and the trust in the process of agreeing a new base for the service.