Modern library at heart of 'community hub' designs

The 5.7 million project is set to include a library, daycare facilities and offices to form a new "community hub" at Rannoch Terrace.

The aim is to create a "one-stop shop" for a range of community facilities in the area.

They will include a modern library and a number of additional services, such as daycare facilities for older people and access to local council services for residents.

The council believes the construction of the site would meet community need for a local access point in western Edinburgh.

The design statement reads: "A 'one-stop shop' approach will create improved access to council services and allow for increased efficiencies through the sharing of facilities and integration of staff teams.

"The hub South East Territory, one of five covering the whole of Scotland, brings together major public service providers including health boards, local authorities, police and fire services."

The project recently received 787,000 to get the building off the ground as part of 6 million worth of grants awarded to the city's six new "hub initiatives" by the Scottish Futures Trust.

Other South East hubs include the Muirhouse Partnership Centre, Blackburn Partnership Centre, Gullane GP Surgery and Day Care Centre, and the Firrhill Partnership Centre.

The statement continues: "The new library will have significant long-term impact on the local economy."

The new centre is due to be completed by the end of 2011.

Six full-time equivalent posts will be created, with the costs being met from the existing library service resources.

The library is expected to be open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Thursday, with shorter opening times on Friday and at the weekends.

The hub will also include office buildings next door, which will be used by a local social work neighbourhood team.

The library and offices will have their own access and parking provision for 48 cars.

The day care centre will have its own parking provision for up to six staff.

Jim Bain, secretary of Drum Brae Community Council, said: "The community council has always been in favour of the library, but the additional services to this 'hub' is a bit of an add on to that so we've still to consider it.

"The library has been an ongoing issue since before the I joined the community council seven years ago, so we've been calling for it for a long time.

"It was welcome news when the council said they now had it in their budget to build the library, and we were glad to see that the planning application had been submitted for it.

"The nearest library is in Blackhall and not served by a very good bus route for the residents of East Craigs, Clermiston or Park Grove.

The next nearest library is Corstorphine.

"There is a mobile library but it only serves a couple of streets so it's not ideal."