Problem
Redbridge Council should stop its plans to push through the redevelopment of Gants Hill Library and adjacent car park and properly consult residents.

As part of its plans to create local hubs, Redbridge Council is proposing to knock down Gants Hill Library and use the site and adjacent car park to create a primarily residential development which may have some elements of public parking, a community hub (a mix of council and community services) and commercial/health uses within it. This Tuesday 13 November, the Council Leader Jas Athwal will be asking his Cabinet to sign off on the sites identified and to give agreement for work to begin on plans for the Gants Hill site immediately.

We have serious concerns about the lack of consultation and the speed at which this proposal is being pushed through by the Council. In addition:
- There is no evidence that there is a demand for a community hub in Gants Hill of the kind envisioned by Redbridge Council. Most interactions with the local council tend to be conducted online or over the phone.
- The proposals do not set out clearly what will replace the purpose built and well-used public library building, other than a ‘residential led development’ with some element of a community hub and ‘potential for commercial and health uses’.
- The car park in question is widely used and a reduction in parking spaces will impact negatively on local restaurants and businesses, as well as commuters using the local underground station tube.
- It will add another high density complex close to the already congested Gants Hill roundabout. At least 3 new residential apartment blocks, all with social housing provision have already been built in the last few years around Gants Hill roundabout. Beyond concerns about a further increase in traffic congestion, Gants Hill station is already crowded and Gearies and other local schools are already over-subscribed.
- The potential mix of library services and council social care provision could create safeguarding issues.


Solution
We are asking the Council to not push through this potential development, but to pause and properly consult residents in and around Gants Hill who will be affected by it.

Personal story
Just a concerned local resident. I'm creating this petition on behalf of many friends & neighbours who are seriously concerned by the flawed long term vision multiple council decisions seem to be pushing our local area towards. There has been a  lack of real and wide engagement with local residents. Most people only saw this when the Ilford Recorder ran a story on it.