Clegg starts new chapter for library project

Clegg Construction has officially started work on an exciting, new library project.

The Nottingham-based company is building the new library, which will be an exemplar of low-carbon construction and technology, in a highly prominent location in the corner of Chaddesden Park in Chaddesden, Derby.

A ground-breaking ceremony has been held to mark the start of work on the new library.

Simon Blackburn, MD of Clegg Construction, said, “The new Chaddesden Library will be built to incorporate the very latest environmentally friendly features.  At Clegg Construction we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of providing high quality, value for money buildings.

“We’re extremely proud to be selected to build the new library which we’re sure will serve local people in Chaddesden well.”

The library is designed to be a ‘low carbon’ building, the library will have a range of features to reduce its impact on the environment including solar panels to generate electricity, ‘super insulation’ and will use natural daylight and ventilation throughout the building. The facility will also have a state of the art system for recycling ‘grey’ water and a ‘green roof’ planted with sedum to further reduce the library’s carbon footprint.

Councillor Martin Repton, Derby City Council’s cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: “The new library is a fantastic development which will meet the needs of the people of Chaddesden and reduce our carbon footprint. It will bring a much improved service for many users including families with young children, local schools and older people and will help to strengthen community ties, supporting both learning and health and well-being. We are very pleased to be giving residents high-quality facilities and the new Chaddesden Library will be a beacon of excellence for everyone in Chaddesden to enjoy for years to come.”

Chair of Chaddesden neighbourhood board, councillor Sara Bolton, added:  “After lobbying for this new facility for over a decade I am delighted to see work start on site. The new library will offer the people of Chaddesden a greatly improved library service, giving them access to community spaces, improved internet access as well as the more traditional library services. It will also provide a much better working environment for the staff as their conditions will be greatly enhanced.”

The new library will house two meeting rooms which will be available for hire by local groups and will also be used for local councillor surgeries, community events and quiet study. Two ‘shop windows’ overlooking the park will be used for displays and to promote the library and partner organisations, such as the Friends of Chaddesden Park and Chaddesden Neighbourhood Board. It will also have customer toilets, dedicated parking for disabled customers and cycle hoops.

Clegg Construction will be carrying out the construction work. Chaddesden Library is one of a number of Derby projects Clegg is currently working on.

The ceremony was attended by Chaddesden ward councillors and representative from The Friends of Chaddesden Park Group, the bowls club, Chaddesden Park Allotment Association and Age UK.

Construction is scheduled for completion in February, 2013.  The library is planned to open in March 2013.