London,
19
October
2023
|
14:15
Europe/London

Highgate Library to benefit from Decarbonisation Project

Camden Council is investing £1.7m in the much-cherished Highgate Library on Chester Road.

Alongside making the library more useable for readers and visitors, this innovative new project will radically reduce the carbon emissions from the Edwardian building. This action will prevent the release of more than 32 tonnes of carbon a year - alongside being great news for council taxpayers by saving over £20,000 a year in energy costs.

“
Councillor Sabrina Francis, Cabinet Member for Young People and Culture

Camden’s libraries are rightly praised as focal points for our residents across the borough, whether as a place to read, study, join community activities or seek advice.

Our investment at Highgate Library demonstrates our commitment to our library service, whilst also delivering on our promise to do everything we can to reach Net Zero emissions in the borough by 2030.

Councillor Sabrina Francis, Cabinet Member for Young People and Culture
„

This work will reduce energy demand at the library, by introducing high levels of energy efficiency across the building, whilst also replacing existing fossil fuel heating with low carbon heating systems and improving the fabric and condition of the building.

Councillor Francis continued:

“To ensure that this project can be undertaken as quickly, safely and efficiently as possible, we have had to make the difficult decision to temporarily provide Highgate Library’s services from a different location in the neighbourhood, alongside the dedicated volunteers who work to help run the library.

“In this way we will be able to ensure that we can reopen the building more energy efficient, cleaner and fit for purpose with the minimum delay.

“We can't wait to launch the new and revitalised library in the summer of 2024 and will advertise some exciting opening celebrations when the work nears completion.”

The library in its current location is scheduled to be closed for seven months from January 2024.

The works that have been identified for the Highgate Library project include:

  • Replacement of the existing boilers with air source heat pumps
  • Installation of roof and wall insulation
  • Upgrading single glazed windows with double glazing and secondary glazing
  • Replacement of the existing roof lights and LED lighting
  • Upgrades to the ventilation system and draught lobby
  • Installation of a building energy control system
  • Installation of Solar PV panels on the library roof.