A new chapter for Tudor Drive Library: Housing development facilitates an extension to popular reading room

Tudor Drive Library, located to the west of Richmond Park, is set to receive a new extension this autumn with work starting on site at the end of April, thanks to support from Berkeley Homes.

The extension will create a new space for the community and complement the refurbishment work already being undertaken by Kingston Council of the current building.  

Berkeley Homes’ funding will facilitate the addition of a purpose-built hall to the library, which is one of the Royal Borough of Kingston’s most successful reading rooms, providing a flexible community space for activities including talks on local history, reading groups and events for children and families.

Jack Nicholson, Land Director at Berkeley Homes comments: “The additional space will increase the variety of activities offered to local residents and provide an inviting public space where they can come together and share interests.

“The new hall will also house a permanent record of local heritage such as the history of Hawker factory site on Richmond Road and Latchmere House, preserving the interesting legacies of these local landmarks for generations to come.”

The extension was agreed as part of Berkeley’s planning consent for Richmond Chase, the redevelopment of the former Latchmere House site off Church Road in Ham. It forms part of £2.25million of contributions by the housebuilder to local infrastructure and the community, which includes a new village green and play area, as well as 13 affordable homes for local residents.

Tudor Ward Councillor David Cunningham adds: “I am pleased that Berkeley is now starting to construct the extension to Tudor Library following the agreement with the Council, as part of the planning permission requirements, which will be a considerable benefit to the local community and will highlight the history of Latchmere House and Kingston's aeronautical successes.”

The Tudor Drive Library is currently closed for refurbishment works and is scheduled to reopen in May 2017. The new library extension is set to open in September 2017.

Article supplied by Louise Jarvis