Bristol City Council hopes to create a new library on Gloucester Road

Barely a month goes by when we're not hearing about the closure of community facilities, from youth centres to police stations and schools to libraries. But Bristol Council looks set to buck that worrying trend and actually opening a new library.

The move could see hard hats, steel-toe-capped boots and diggers moving onto the former Bristol North Pool site on Gloucester Road - meaning there would be three libraries in the Redland area - one on Whiteladies Road, one on Cheltenham Road and this one on Gloucester Road.

Bristol's Cabinet will meet on Thursday, September 29 to determine a way forward for the complex Gloucester Road building project, which involves the conversion of the former Bristol North Pool into a community Health Centre, pharmacy and hydrotherapy suite together with new housing and a new Bishopston Library. In addition the project involves the building of up to 40 new apartments on the current Cheltenham Road Library site.

The city council's Cabinet will consider a report which sets out a number of possible options, including an option for the council to fund the development phase of the North Bristol project in full via prudential borrowing.

Councillor Simon Cook, Bristol's deputy leader and executive member for culture, sports and capital projects, says: "The Bristol North Pool development is a classic example of how - in the current economic climate - the public sector is having to step in and take a leading pro-active funding approach. Previously, developers looked to banks and financial institutions to provide sensible funding packages, now the economics of borrowing just don't add up. We are determined to see this development go ahead and are confident our partnership with Chatsworth Homes is strong. The option of the council borrowing the development costs and working in a financial joint-venture with Chatsworth Homes to deliver the new buildings is both bold and ambitious and looks like a really exciting deal that can deliver everything we hoped for - a new library in a fantastic location, continued community use of the former pool building and new homes."