Bouygues Development starts work on £12 million Kent History & Library Centre

Building work for one of the most innovative library and history centres in the country is underway.

Kent County Council Leader Paul Carter marked the start of work on Friday 26 February to build what will be an impressive facility on James Whatman Way, off Royal Engineer's Road in Maidstone. The day also included the official signing of the agreement with Bouygues Development, the developer of this £12million project.

Paul Carter said:
“It has taken a lot of hard work to reach this point and it's testament to everyone involved that we have been able to continue with this project in the face of tough economic times. Kent is going to have a sophisticated facility that it can be extremely proud of and I look forward to seeing its doors open.”

Kent has a wealth of documents, photographs, images, maps and records about the history of the county, but to make sure they survive for future generations they need to be kept in carefully controlled conditions. The new centre will be purpose built to protect and display many more archives than are currently available. It will house around 14 kilometres of historic material relating to Kent and dating back to 699 AD and will be the place to come for anyone interested in local history. There will also be a community history area, archive search room, digital studio and a large space for displays and events.

Historian David Starkey is looking forward to the new project:
“Everyone in Kent should be proud of our county, its rich heritage and the important role it has played in the development of this country... and of course it has a matchless collection of local records.

“I am delighted that Kent will at long last have a new centre where its history can be celebrated and its unique archive collections can be cared for and made accessible to more people”

Visitors to the centre will be able to enjoy improved library and IT services, Wifi access and there will be well-equipped meeting rooms. The new library within the building will replace and update the existing services currently offered at the County Central and St Faith's libraries.

KCC Cabinet Member for Community Services Mike Hill said:
"This is the start of the journey to build the Kent History Centre and Library. There will be opportunities for everyone to visit to trace their family history, enjoy an improved range of books and IT services, take part in events and enjoy the shop and refreshments area, all within a major new building, which brings together the County Archives, County Central Library and Maidstone Town Library."

As part of this scheme, Bouygues Development will also build residential properties on behalf of housing and care provider, Housing 21 and West Kent Housing Association. The whole site will be landscaped and will include a reading garden to hold local events and give visitors a relaxing place to enjoy a good book or just meet and chat.

Work is expected to be completed in Spring 2012. The new centre will be just seven minutes walk from Maidstone town centre and eight bus services already stop at the site. The Park and Ride service stops five minutes walk from the site.

Stéphane Slama-Royer, Director of Bouygues Development, said:
“Bouygues Development and its sister company Warings are very proud to be working with Kent County Council. It is a reflection of the excellent working partnership we share with the KCC project team, West Kent Housing and Housing 21 that we have been able to progress this significant development despite the economic downturn. In the Bouygues group, we pride ourselves on building outstanding cultural facilities and we are confident of achieving the same standard of excellence for this very important project.”

Chief Executive of Housing 21, Pushpa Raguvaran, added:
“This exciting project fits well with Housing 21's ethos of giving older people independence and choice, and we believe it's important that they play an active role in the local community. The 60 extra care apartments will provide a unique living space alongside the Library and History Centre, allowing residents to enjoy excellent facilities as well as being part of an outstanding community development. “

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