Campaigners are collecting signatures for a petition to be presented to Devon County Council demanding a guarantee that the new library will be of the same or improved quality and have full public approval. 

The Save St Thomas Library Campaign is also opposing plans which would enable the developer of the Exe Bridge Centre in St Thomas to put space originally earmarked for a new library to commercial use.  

The developer of the site is due to demolish the existing library and replace it with a new building. The new building was to house the new library on the first floor but negotiations between the County Council and the site owners apparently broke down earlier this year. The developers, CPG South Ltd, are seeking planning permission to change the use of the first floor to commercial use, going back on a pledge made to the public in the original plans that the top floor of the new development could only be used for a library.  

Exeter Green Party claims that the public have been misled and are urging people to object to the new plans before the consultation period ends on 26^th October.  Audaye Elesedy, the Chair of Exeter Green Party said: 

“People feel misled, many didn't object to the original planning application because it included the library. Not only was it not really suitable being placed on the first floor, now the new application takes it off that site altogether and, without really being properly consulted, people of the area will find there is a whole new development. A lot of people are going to be surprised and disappointed if it gets through; the communications have been so bad that many still don't even know that the Library will close on Friday 14th. October".

Diana Moore, an Alphington resident whose children have regularly used the St Thomas library and who is supporting the campaign said:

“The community has been badly let down. Devon County Council has known for quite some time of the fact that an alternative site was needed after discussions with the developer broke down. This site has housed the library for 40 years and is in a great location. The chance to upgrade the facilities in a new development shouldn’t be tossed away. The developer’s request for the first floor of new building to be put for alternative use is just not acceptable.”  

Another St Thomas resident, who is objecting to the planning application, said:

“I don’t think we need another chain store or retail unit, especially in the current economic climate. We need good public services and St Thomaslibrary is a very well used public amenity. It provides educational and community service across the generations.”    

Exeter Green Party is also concerned about the implications of the redevelopment on the library site. Andrew Bell, policy officer with Exeter Green Party said: 

“It is clear the developer’s interest is solely on making more money out of the site. Demolishing a purpose built and highly popular library is a tragic waste but clearly the building does not sit well with the developer’s plans for the whole site. The new road layout, currently being built and causing huge destruction and disruption, will allow traffic to exit onto Cowick Street. Encouraging more traffic onto this road will be disastrous. Cowick Street is already one of the most polluted and congested streets in Exeter. Also the new exit is right next to one of the city’s busiest bus stops, where it is not uncommon for three buses to arrive at the same time.  

“The losers in this whole fiasco are the community and the environment. Exeter Green Party believes that we need to place the needs of the community before commercial interests”.