Sustainable Communities in Dagenham

A new library for Dagenham

The second key element of the Regeneration Strategy for Dagenham Heathway is for a mixed used development including a flagship modern library, retail unit, One Stop Shop of Council services and 82 flats. The building will be on a prominent corner site and will attract additional people to the Heathway.

Dagenham Heathway currently has no public buildings and so lacks a focus or destination despite the area's extremely good public transport. We are proposing to build a mixed use building including a new library on a prominent corner site.

The modern library will replace a couple of smaller libraries in Dagenham and provide a much higher quality service in line with the new Barking Library. It will have longer opening hours than the smaller libraries and provide the full range of facilities required by users of modern libraries. It is proposed to co-locate the library with a One Stop Shop providing access to a wide range of Council services.

The high quality building will act as a magnet for the Heathway adding to the vibrancy and vitality of the area. Residential development will also increase the market for Heathway retailers and make the area feel safer at night. The retail unit proposed will be of the size and quality required of modern retailers unlike many of the Heathway's existing units.

Bouygues UK have been selected as the council's development partner and demolition work on the site is due to commence summer 2008 with completion of the building in 2010.