The new Elmer Square development will form the centre of Southend’s educational quarter. An integrated municipal and academic library will provide a modern centre of learning and research to meet the varied needs and requirements of residents, students, business people and visitors alike.
This exciting £26.9m scheme is being funded by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, the University of Essex and South Essex College of Further and Higher Education.
The first phase of the project will provide a large reading area which will house a combined book collection numerous ICT stations for public use, new teaching facilities for the College and University with flexible spacial arrangements. There will also be a large lecture theatre available to the public for events outside of normal teaching hours, a new café, focal point gallery/cultural hub, children’s library and play space, and office accommodation for staff members. The new building provides a unique opportunity to develop a sustainable, state-of-the-art educational and cultural hub.
The Council ran a recent public consultation exercise last week to discuss the plans with Southend residents, and an overwhelming 84% of those who attended were in support of the scheme, which could be in operation by late 2013 subject to gaining the usual planning approvals.
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