Library dementia centre idea jumps planning hurdle

A council plan to set up a dementia resource centre in a library has moved a step closer to completion.

Peterborough City Council is selling a building which currently houses the centre and wants to set up a service at a library in the city.

Members of the council's planning committee have approved a change of use, which would allow such a centre to be set up at Bretton Library.

Library users and people working with those with dementia have raised concerns about the idea.

Members of the council's planning and environmental protection committee were on Tuesday asked to decide whether approving a change of use was appropriate under planning rules.

Planning officers had recommended that a change of use should be approved.

Committee members did not decide on the rights or wrongs of setting up a dementia centre in the library - or dismiss health concerns raised by people who work with people with dementia.

One woman who works as a volunteer said the library was not the right setting for a resource centre.

She said people with dementia could have difficulties.

And library users have said library activities would be under threat if space was reduced.

Paula Flood, who runs a "Knit and Natter" group at the library, is campaigning against the dementia centre plan and said the fight would continue.

"They've just approved a change of use. It's just one hurdle," she said.

"The fight's not over yet. We will continue with the campaign."

No party has overall control of Peterborough City Council, although Labour has the most members.

Shabina Qayyum, the council's Labour cabinet member for adults and health, has said both the library and dementia resource centre are "important community facilities".

She said the council wanted to ensure that space was being used in the "best possible way" and the "best services possible" were being provided.

The dementia resource centre gives advice, information and support to people, and is currently based in a council-owned building on York Road.

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