Village library to remain closed until June 2027

1 day ago

Eddie BisknellLocal Democracy Reporting Service

News image — Debyshire County Council approved the temporary closure of Somercotes Library in September

Google A single storey brown brick library building, in front of which is a small car park and metal fencing — Debyshire County Council approved the temporary closure of Somercotes Library in September

A village library is set to remain closed until summer next year due to the demolition and construction of a school on the same site.

Derbyshire County Council approved a six-month temporary closure of Somercotes Library in September after noise, dust and disruption led to a "significant impact" on users.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said the Reform-run authority had decided to extend the temporary closure until June 2027 while the redevelopment of neighbouring Somerlea Park Junior School took place.

Staff and additional services are operating from Pinxton and South Normanton in the interim, four miles and three miles away respectively.

Council documents state the redevelopment of Somerlea Park Junior School started in June 2025 and are now due to finish in June 2027, having previously been forecast to end in April 2027.

The works - being carried out by the Learners' Trust Academy chain using funding provided by the Department for Education - involve clearance of part of the school site, demolition of the existing buildings and construction of a new school.

Bowmer + Kirkland An artist's impression of a flat roofed, two storey school building. It is clad in white with patches of blue and grey, and has solar panel on the roof. In front of the building is a paved concourse surrounded by grass — The redeveloped Somerlea Park Junior School will accommodate 240 pupils aged seven to 11

"Throughout this period, the public library building would be operating in the middle of construction traffic, with HGVs travelling around both sides of the building, and car parking continuing to be suspended," the council report said.

"It is considered the customer – and staff – experience would be significantly compromised through continued noise, disturbance and resulting health and safety implications."

Council documents added the authority considered alternative premises within Somercotes to set up a temporary library, but could not find an appropriate venue and said fit-out costs for hire and relocation would be too high.

A report said the council had not received any negative feedback over the current arrangements and that staff had been informally consulted.

The new two-storey school, with solar panels on its roof, will accommodate 240 pupils aged seven to 11, with eight classrooms and a dining hall.

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