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The Library of Birmingham…integrated with The REP Non Technical Summary August 2009

Prepared for

Birmingham City Council Environmental Statement Library of Birmingham integrated with The REP Non-technical Summary

Revision Schedule Non Technical Summary August 2009 Scott Wilson

McLaren Buliding Rev Date Details Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by

01 13/08/09 NTS Kerry Daykin Principal Environmental Consultant

Paul Tomlinson Associate

Paul Tomlinson Associate

35 Dale End Birmingham B4 7LN Tel Fax www.scottwilson.com

This document has been prepared in accordance with the scope of Scott Wilson's appointment with its client and is subject to the terms of that appointment. It is addressed to and for the sole and confidential use and reliance of Scott Wilson's client. Scott Wilson accepts no liability for any use of this document other than by its client and only for the purposes for which it was prepared and provided. No person other than the client may copy (in whole or in part) use or rely on the contents of this document, without the prior written permission of the Company Secretary of Scott Wilson Ltd. Any advice, opinions, or recommendations within this document should be read and relied upon only in the context of the document as a whole. The contents of this document do not provide legal or tax advice or opinion.

© Scott Wilson Ltd 2009

Birmingham City Council Environmental Statement

Library of Birmingham integrated with The REP Non-Technical Summary

Scott Wilson Ltd August 2009 1

1 Introduction

This Non-Technical Summary provides an overview of the

proposed Library of Birmingham integrated with The REP

development. It also describes the environmental issues that

have been studied and how potential effects would be avoided or

mitigated.

A brief summary of the proposed project and the alternatives that

were looked at is provided along, with an overview of the

environmental assessment activities undertaken.

This Non-Technical Summary has been published alongside an

Environmental Statement that has been prepared in accordance

with the Regulations. The Environmental Statement can be

viewed at:

Birmingham City Council Planning Department 9

th Floor

Alpha Tower Suffolk Street, Queensway Birmingham B1 1TU

A copy of the Environmental Statement may also be purchased at

the above address, copies of this Non-Technical Summary can

also be provided free of charge.

The regulations provide for a period of public comment, during

which time objections and representations can be lodged. Any

such comments must be made in writing to Birmingham City

Council before 7th September 2009 to the address above.

The following documents have also been submitted to

Birmingham City Council as part of the planning application:

• Planning Statement;

• Design and Access Statement;

• Transport Statement;

• Report of Consultation;

• A Flood Risk Assessment; (Appended to the Environmental

Statement)

• A Tree Survey Report; and

• Application plans, including elevations, sections and floor

plans.




2 Project Description

The proposal is for a new library building which will be integrated

with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre (The REP). The new

library building would be constructed on what is currently a

surface car park on the northern side of Centenary Square (see

Figure 1 below).

Figure 1 – Site Location Plan

Reproduced from Ordnance Survey digital map © Crown Copyright 2003. All rights reserved. Licence number 100021326 Birmingham City Council

The proposed development consists of the following elements:

• Removal of the Cambridge Street surface car park;

• Demolition, refurbishment and extension of parts of The REP;

• Excavation of approximately 35,000m3 of earth for a

basement area;

• Piling to support the building;

• Construction of a 10 storey building;

• Installation of a ground source heat pump; and

• Fitting out with a combined heat and power plant and

ventilation units.

The new Library of Birmingham integrated with The REP is

intended to create a landmark building in an important position in

the City, providing a centre of learning, information and culture.

3 Alternatives

Prior to developing the proposals, Birmingham City Council

conducted an examination of several alternatives for the Library.

These included:

• Maintaining the existing site;

• Dispersing the collections from the Central Library to local

libraries; or

• A new library building.

Maintaining the existing site was discounted as the existing

Central Library (built in 1974) building fabric is in poor condition

and the storage facilities (which house many important historical

archives) are inadequate and do not meet current standards and

requirements.




Dispersing the collection presented a number of difficulties, and

above all would remove an essential learning facility from the City

Centre.

Eight alternative sites were examined, with a location in Eastside

and Centenary Square emerging as viable options. The proposed

site was adopted as it minimised disruption to existing users and

helped to enhance a recognised City location.

A standalone library building was considered along with the

proposal to integrate the library with The REP. The latter option

was selected because it best achieved the aspirations for the

Library.

Several different designs for the building were explored before

adopting the current proposal with its striking appearance.

Vacating the existing Central Library buildings will facilitate

aspirations to redevelop Paradise Circus.

4 Consultation

Consultation with the public and key stakeholders (such as

Council departments and organisations with an interest in

adjacent land) was undertaken over a period of time. A public

exhibition was held at the Central Library in April and May 2009.

Over 600 people responded to the exhibition. There was no

overall strong support or objection to the scheme. Most

responses requested specific facilities to be provided. Some

people thought that the design of the Library was out of scale with

nearby buildings and others did not like the façade design. In

contrast, a number of positive comments were made and people

welcomed the iconic design and the new range of facilities that

the proposed development would provide.

5 Environmental Assessment

Assessment Activities

Following discussions with Birmingham City Council Planning

Department, the scope of the Environmental Assessment was

agreed. The actual assessment has been based upon the

following site surveys and investigations as well as consultation

with statutory organisations:

• Ecological surveys including a habitat survey and surveys for

bats and black redstart;

• A search of the Birmingham City Sites and Monuments

Record (SMR) and consultation with the Planning

Archaeologist and the Historic Conservation team at

Birmingham City Council;

• A series of geotechnical reports were examined to understand

possible ground contamination, surface and ground water

conditions. This was supported by discussions with the

Environment Agency.

• Site visit to document the existing townscape qualities;

• Local air quality data collation and discussion with

Birmingham City Council Environmental Health Officers;

• A noise survey at nearby properties;




Archaeology

The site was first developed in the medieval period, with the

construction of Broad Street to the south; and land began to be

used for recreational and domestic purposes, such as Southall

Bowling Green shown on the 1778 Hanson map of Birmingham.

The site and surrounds in 1778

The area to the immediate east of the site was occupied by the

formal gardens of Easy Hill House which was built in 1745 by

John Baskerville, the printer and typesetter. The Birmingham

Canal was constructed in 1768-72, and by 1778 a two-forked

wharf existed to the south of Broad Street.

By 1819, an additional wharf (Baskerville Wharf) was constructed

over the site of Easy Hill House and gardens. By 1828 the Union

Rolling Mills was situated on Cambridge Street to eventually

become one of the largest brass works in Birmingham. By 1890,

the works and the northern arm of the wharf (Gibson’s Arm) and

possibly parts of the southern arm were used by the works.

Map dated 1828 showing Baskerville Wharf

In 1918, the site was earmarked for the creation of a civic space

to include offices, a public library and a concert hall to the west of

Victoria Square. The first civic building to be constructed was the

Hall of Memory and associated gardens. To facilitate this, the

southern arm of Baskerville Wharf was infilled, but Gibson’s Arm

remained in use serving the Winfields Rolling Mill, but by 1936/7

the entire area was cleared.

The proposed development will result in the removal of a major

part of Baskerville Wharf and the Cambridge Street Works. An

archaeological excavation will take place to gather records, but

with the loss of the features a moderate adverse impact remains.




The former location of Easy Hill House has been previously

disturbed by the construction of later buildings and it is unlikely

that much remains.

Built Heritage

No buildings or structures in the study area remain from before

the 18th century but of the later 18th century developments, the

Crown Inn, Broad Street and the canal side area around Crescent

Wharf and the adjoining locks survive.

By the early 19th century the area between Broad Street and

Cambridge Street, encompassing proposed library site, was

occupied by extensive canal wharves (known as ‘Baskerville

Wharf’s’), rolling mills and other industrial buildings.

Several fine, late Victorian buildings, including 266A and 267-271

Broad Street were built, whilst back streets such as Cambridge

Street had a more utilitarian character, of which The Prince of

Wales Public House survives. The Grade II Listed Coffin

Furniture Works and Raybould’s Foundry, Fleet Street reflect the

typical form and style adopted for industrial sites in this period.

The early 20th century saw the desire to develop a ‘Civic

Complex’ in this part of the city. In 1923-4 the Hall of Memory

was built and later plans envisaged north of the main public

space a three-sided court of council offices. A Civic Centre

Building’ (now known as Baskerville House) was begun and

completed after World War 2.

Model of the Civic Centre Scheme, By William Haywood 1940-1941

(reproduced from Foster, A. 2005. 'Pevsner Architectural Guides - Birmingham', Yale University

Press (New Haven and London)).

Given the history of the area, 11 historic features were identified,

six of which would not experience any significant construction or

operational effects arising from the Library.

Construction works would not affect the physical fabric of any of

the heritage features, but would cause temporary intrusion for up

to 2 years on the setting of:

• Baskerville House (Listed Grade II)

• Hall of Memory (Listed Grade II)

• Former Birmingham Municipal Bank (Listed Grade II)

• Prince of Wales Public House (undesignated)




Baskerville House Hall of Memory

Filtered views of the Library would be available from the

Jewellery Conservation Area, with views also being available of

the Conservation Area from upper floors of the Library.

Enclosure of the northern edge of Centenary Square and

landscape work would assist in integrating Baskerville House and

the Hall of Memory and help deliver the concept of a three-sided

setting originally envisaged. This would result in slight beneficial

effects.

Townscape and Visual Impacts

The Birmingham City UDP identifies the area as the Greater

Convention Centre Quarter with the following characteristics:

• A significant number of major visitor attracting uses;

• Large areas of City Centre housing;

• Industrial area often associated with the canals; and

• Strong commercial/office elements particularly along the

Broad Street corridor.

The area includes the major civic space of Centenary Square that

is dominated by The REP, the ICC and Symphony Hall. The ICC

is recognised as a ‘signature building’ for the Quarter and a

‘flagship’ for Birmingham.

These buildings form the boundaries to the Square and provide

the civic space with enclosure, although this sense of enclosure

is lost at the application site as its current use as a car park,

undermines the vertical form of the adjacent buildings and allows

the space to dissipate to the north.

The proposed development would result in a significant change in

the townscape of the local area in terms of form, height, scale

and appearance. A car park which currently reduces the

townscape quality of the area and the 1991 REP building

extension would be replaced by a building designed to a high

standard with respect for its context and would provide a

significant local landmark. The proposals would respect and

enhance the townscape context through the delivery of high

quality public realm that understands the distinct atmosphere of

the three buildings along the northern boundary of Centenary

Square.

The proposed development would become a landmark building

on the Birmingham skyline and an exciting addition to the

Westside of Birmingham. The remodelling of Centenary Square

and pedestrian emphasis along Cambridge Street and Broad

Street would increase vitality, improving visitor experience.




Photomontage image of the library (courtesy of Mecanoo)

Mitigation measures, employed in the proposals are:

• Composition of glass, metal, concrete and stone would reflect

the surrounding buildings;

• The size of the proposed Library has been designed to

compliment the area and respect the settings of listed

buildings while providing a distinctive identity to the buildings

along the northern boundary of the Square;

• Pedestrian dominant routes established between the Square

and areas to the north; and

• Tree planting and creation of terraces.

Shadowing

The existing Repertory Theatre, Baskerville House and multi-

storey car park partially overshadow the southern and eastern

areas of the City Centre Gardens during the early morning hours.

Later in the afternoon, sections of the Gardens are in the shadow

of the residential buildings to the north. The existing gap

between The REP and Baskerville House currently allows

sunlight to penetrate through into the Gardens.

City Centre Gardens to the north of the site

The 10 storey Library would cause some overshadowing of the

south-western and central portions of the City Centre Gardens

over the morning period when the sun is low in the sky. All areas

of the Gardens would receive sunlight at some point in the day.




Water

The nearest surface water body to the application site is the

Birmingham and Fazeley Canal 150m to the north which exhibits

good water quality. The Oozells Street Loop of Birmingham

Canal Navigation main line is 250m to the south west and has a

fair to good water quality. It is not considered that the proposed

development would affect either canal.

Birmingham and Fazeley Canal to the north of the site

Beneath the site is the Bromsgrove Sandstone major aquifer,

from which two boreholes 550m and 640m to the east are used to

extract water for potable supplies. The groundwater level is also

known to be rising. Groundwater is also found at a shallow depth

flowing to the north west.

It is proposed that the Library would include a ground source heat

pump that would require boreholes directly into the aquifer.

Consequently these boreholes would be lined to prevent any

migration of contaminants into the aquifer. Piling needed to

support the basement walls would also require protection to

prevent any potential contamination.

The site is considered to have a low risk of flooding, although

flooding may still be possible due to extreme events such as

sewer blockage. The basement would include flood proofing

measures to prevent groundwater from seeping into the

basement.

The proposed development would not result in any significant

residual effects.

Contamination and Waste

Previous land uses influence the potential for contamination to be

found during excavation for the Library basement. Some

35,000m3 of soil and potentially contaminated material will be

removed to landfill involving about 45 lorry movements per day

during the excavations.

Beneath the surface layers of fill materials is a layer of river and

glacial deposits with sandstone beneath. Groundwater occurs

close to the surface and again in the sandstone. The

groundwater is unlikely to be linked to the Birmingham and

Fazeley Canal.

As low levels of gases occur in the soil beneath the site, design

and construction materials will be chosen to reflect the ground

conditions. In addition, some metal contamination may affect soil

disposal, re-use and handling. Excavated materials would be




separated into inert and contaminated materials. The use of

excavated material at other development sites would be

investigated to reduce the amount sent to landfill sites.

The excavation and movement of materials could give rise to

dust, but control measures would be put in place, and no adverse

effects would result.

Works to The REP could encounter asbestos, which will be

handled in accordance with best practice and the current

regulations.

No significant effects are associated with the operation of the

Library, particularly as a waste minimisation scheme will put in

place.

Nature Conservation

The proposed site offers little of nature conservation interest

beyond that of habitat for common breeding birds. There is a low

potential for roosting bats to occur in the area.

The design includes the provision of a range of habitat creation

measures offering opportunities for breeding and foraging for

birds including black redstart (a rare bird in Britain) that should

enhance connectivity of wildlife habitats in the City Centre.

Habitat creation includes the provision of a brown roof which

would be installed on the top of the Library building. Measures

will also be included to deter pigeons that may affect other birds.

Air Quality

Central Birmingham is designated as an Air Quality Management

Area as levels of nitrogen dioxide exceed the annual average air

quality objective mainly due to road traffic.

Construction work may generate infrequent and short-term

emissions, dust emissions, and additional vehicle emissions from

construction traffic and plant, while emissions would come from

the operation of the energy plant for the Library once the

development is complete.

As a small increase to emissions in the air quality management

area occurs, a minor adverse effect results from both, the

construction and operation of the Library.

Noise and Vibration

Four different noise and vibration impacts could occur from the

proposed development:

• Construction noise, including plant, machinery and haul

road noise;

• Construction vibration from piling or drilling bore holes;

• Noise from use of the new Studio Theatre and terraced

areas, and the increase in the number of people visiting

the site; and

• Noise from the equipment within the building.

Existing noise levels have been measured for the site and at the

nearest housing areas, and included night time measurements

when The REP scenery changes were occurring). Local and




distant road traffic dominates both daytime and night-time noise

levels.

Weekday construction noise and vibration, apart from the 3-

month piling activity, would not give rise to significant effects.

Piling might cause some minor annoyance.

Construction noise may cause short-term disturbance at

Baskerville House and other commercial buildings but would not

be a significant adverse impact.

The Library’s power plant and ventilation equipment would be

designed to meet WHO limits at the nearest residential property.

There would not be any significant noise from loading bays or the

people using the building.

Cumulative Impacts

Construction of the Library could coincide with the Arena Central

development opposite, with a risk of dust emissions cumulatively

affecting Centenary Square. Additional construction traffic from

both projects and a possible hotel development on Broad Street

could also cause a temporary slight increase in vehicle

emissions. The operation of each project may also increase

emissions due to their energy plants and traffic.

Neighbouring development projects would tend to increase the

duration of construction noise affecting commercial premises,

rather than increase noise levels.

As several projects could be being built at the same time, the

townscape would be adversely affected by this construction

activity. However, these temporary effects would be replaced the

longer term enhancement of the area potentially bringing

economic benefits.

6 Conclusions

As with any construction project, the proposed development will

generate noise (traffic and site), and air pollution (traffic and site),

as well as visual disturbance. It will also necessitate the disposal

of demolition and excavated materials. These effects would

principally affect the nearby commercial activities and residential

areas. Two archaeological sites would also be lost.

Once operational, the building would change the character of the

area, providing a new landmark building, with a high quality

design in an important square within the city. The building also

incorporates ecological enhancement, new public viewing areas

and sustainable measures to reduce its environmental impact.

Overall the adverse impacts that are anticipated during

construction can be managed and reduced. Potential negative

impacts that may occur during construction are outweighed by

the significant benefits that the completed development would

offer to the city.

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