Artwork is coming to Reading town centre in the near future as a former library building is secured against intruders.
The former Reading Central Library building closed on May 11, with books and services being moved to the new facility at the civic offices in Bridge Street.
The old library was first opened in 1985, but is now empty following the opening of the new library on June 18.
Councillors have approved plans to put up hoardings around the building to prevent intrusion, vandalism and squatters occupying it.
These will be in place for a maximum of three years.
Some of these hoardings will be decorated with artwork to enhance the streetscene, ahead of Reading Borough Council selecting a purchaser for the old building.
The installation of the artwork and security measures were agreed at a council planning applications committee meeting on July 22.
A request was made for councillors to be consulted on the designs for the artwork ahead of installation.
Councillor Josh Williams (Green, Park) said: “I’m glad the security measures are only temporary. I was wondering whether the artwork that will be submitted to officers ahead of time, whether that could be viewed by ward councillors, not for approval, just so they could offer comment?
“This was accepted, particularly as the security measures were being requested by the council’s own property and assets department.
The suggestion received bipartisan support.
Cllr Matt Yeo (Labour, Caversham) said: “If Josh hadn’t suggested it, I was going to suggest it, because it’s a good thing to do, but don’t hold up the process as a result of that.
“It’s our application, so we can make sure that the councillors are informed of what’s going on, I think that’s important.”
There was also a query as to why the councillors had to approve the project in the first place, as security measures to publicly owned buildings are permitted development.
Marcie Rejwerska, senior planning officer, explained: “I did ask them why they submitted this application, they said they wanted to be confident that they have all the permissions on paper.”
The artwork and security measures were unanimously approved.
You can view the application by typing reference PL/26/0785 FUL into the council’s planning portal.
Abbey ward councillors David Stevens, Mohammed Ayub (both Labour) and Jacqueline Dominguez (Green) will be consulted on the artwork as agreed.
The council is searching for a buyer for the library after councillors in its policy committee agreed to dispose of the building in June 2024.
It has requested that the new owner provide approximately 46 flats on the site, with 30 per cent of those being designated affordable.
