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Please continue to check here @  www.forl.org.uk 

and also on the Library notice board for updates 

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This week, planning consent has been granted. Inspection platforms have been errected on the scaffolding on the facade (see photo gallery), so that a detailed examination can be carried out, prior to the building specifications being put out to tender.

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Another step closer!

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An article in this weeks Isle of Thanet Gazette (26.5.06) page 3;

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Exciting plans to recreate Library.

Work expected to start in the autumn. Report by Rebecca Smith.

Plans for the rebuilding of Ramsgate library have been approved with work expected to begin in the autumn.

The impressive historic facade was devastated by a fierce blaze in August 2004, will be restored while the interior will be modenised.

Kent County Council, which owns the building, will now ask firms to bid for the building works. The Radley House Partnership were appointed architects last year.

It is hoped the library will reopen in 2007. The design will be on two floorswith a mezzanine level and makes use of natural light. There will be a children's area and rooms will be available for meetings and exhibitions. There will be a lift and a computer and internet section.

There are no immediate plans to have a formal museum as many of the artefacts originaly housed in the library were irretrievably damaged in the fire.

Items saved include the town seal, which has been restored and is now at the mayor's parlour in Albion House.

The Dame Janet casket, hich contains documents relating to the town's great benefactor, was also rescued and is now in storage.

The Friends of Ramsgate Library, a group started in the wake of the tragedy, also hope to rase money to install a stained glass window to celebrate the old building.

They plan to approach local schools to suggest designs. Chairman Jocelyn McCarthy welcomed the latest step to reopening the library, adding "All along we have been pushing and prodding everyone saying 'let's get on with it'. Now we are about to jump the final hurdle and have the interior building put out to tender."

The cause of the fire has never been ascertained.

Mr McCarthy said: "The fire was too intense to pin-point where it started. How it began will always remain a great mystory."

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posted 29.5.06

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News just received from KCC about the rebuilding of Ramsgate Library:

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' The Listed Building Consent has been granted this week and the  Planning Consent is expected to be granted next week (w/c 22.5.06), the detailed design is being carried out by the consultants, this is an extremely crucial phase where the designers ensure that all the details of the building are looked at and analysed.

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The commencement of site works has not altered since the last meeting and we should be on site site in late Autumn of this year. '

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We, (FORL) look forward to the commencement of the building works, although we understand the 'behind the scenes' works are critical. We are looking forward to seeing the builders 'on site' as soon as possible.

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posted 21.5.06

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 posted: 1st March 2006

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KCC has now applied for planning permission for:

Erection of a reconstructed library building, destroyed by fire, including rebuilding of historic front facade.

The plans can be viewed online at:.

www.ukplanning.com/thanet

enter 06/0190 into 'application search' box

and also at: Thanet District Council Planning Office,

(2^nd Floor Reception), Cecil Street, Margate

TDC Application Ref. Number: L/TH/ 06/ 0190

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9th Feb. 2006         THE FRIENDS OF RAMSGATE LIBRARY 

www.forl.org.uk

 The Friends of Ramsgate Library are pleased to announce the launch of their own dedicated website which can be viewed at www.forl.org.uk

Information available online includes: a brief history of the library, latest news, details on membership, a local links page and photograph library, and much more.

The committee of FORL wish to thank the Mayor of Ramsgate, Cllr Steve Ward for his help and guidance in hosting the Friends' information on his own website since the library was destroyed.

The new site will be constantly updated as and when new information, news and pictures become available.

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