Residents have until the 21st March to share their views on the proposed Hendon Hub Scheme which will see the development of The Burroughs and Church End in Hendon. The council plan to provide a new library, enhanced public spaces, and facilities for Middlesex University.

The scheme has been criticised by local resident Theresa Musgrove who runs the successful blog Broken Barnet. This World Book Day Musgrove questioned the plans to temporarily relocate Hendon library from a listed building next to the Town Hall to the Burroughs Large Car Park near the A41.

In December, Musgrove wrote that it had been only three years since the refurbishment of Hendon library had, “…cut the library footprint to a fraction of its former space within the building [and] cost half a million pounds of public money.”

The current library building will be given to Middlesex University to house a new business school. Musgrove went on to write:

“a library is not, to the Barnet Tory councillor, and their contractual partners Capita, who now manage the portfolio of library buildings, a temple of education and learning, or leisure. It is a potential property development or generator of income.” 

Capita, a digital consulting service, has remodelled online library services in Barnet.

Last year, Save Barnet Libraries ran a campaign against library cuts, questioning the safety of libraries utilising the ‘Open Libray’ technology which keeps unstaffed libraries open to the public by allowing people to check out books digitally. Save Barnet Libraries wrote, the library’s success would be determined by an “increase [in] staffed hours and library resources – which is what the service really needs to encourage library use.”

Of the new library, a Barnet Council spokesman said to the Post: 

“The proposal is to construct a new upgraded and the fully accessible library a very short distance away and for this move to be as seamless as possible. This will deliver a larger and more modern library facility and will provide an opportunity to develop new services to people using the library and local residents. Current proposals are to also provide a fit-for-purpose facility for the School Libraries Resources Service which will enhance this service’s capacity to support teaching and learning in Barnet’s schools.

“These are proposals in their early stages, and we are very keen to hear peoples’ views when consultation on the Hendon Hub Scheme gets underway on 26 February.”

Cllr Reuben Thompstone, Chairman of Barnet Council’s Community Leadership and Libraries Committee, said: “The current Hendon Library is a beautiful building, but its maintenance and upkeep costs a lot of money that would be better spent on providing a modern library service. The Hendon Hub project is a fantastic opportunity to improve our offer to Hendon residents.”

James Kennedy, Deputy Chief Executive at Middlesex University, added:

“We urge all members of the community to make their voices heard including residents, local businesses and university staff and students.”

Whether the council will strike the balance between upgrading facilities and providing the local community with a suitable learning environment is yet to be seen. But, one thing is clear, residents will be anxious to have their voices heard on this disputed scheme.

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More information about the project and how to take part in the consultation can be found at www.hendonhub.co.uk

A set of consultation boards that provide detail on the proposals is available on www.hendonhub.co.uk. There will also be virtual presentations, where the project team will be able to talk through the plans in more detail and answer your questions. The events are on:

• Thursday 4 March 2021

• Monday 8 March 2021

• Tuesday 9 March 2021

• Thursday 18 March 2021

All events will run 6 pm – 7.30 pm and will cover specific parts of the project. Please see www.hendonhub.co.uk for more details on the events and how to attend them.