Cllr Roger Ramsey announced the library in Rainham would go ahead following discussion with the Mayor of London

Rainham will have a new library in the “near future”, it was announced at last week’s council meeting.

Cllr Roger Ramsey (Conservative, Emerson Park) made the statement, telling the meeting: “Because of the fine efforts of our leader in relation to lobbying, terms have been agreed with the Mayor of London’s office, along with contractual arrangements that will enable us to proceed with the project in the near future.”

The announcement came after Jeffrey Tucker (Rainham and Wennington, Independent Residents’ Group) accused the council of stalling over the issue. “We were promised a new library by the end of 2012,” he said. “Where is our new library?”

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Andrew Curtin, cabinet member for culture, towns and communities, confirmed the scheme would provide a new library and learning centre, along with flats, next to the station in Rainham Village Conservation Area.

Cllr Curtin added the building, whose plans were originally approved in 2009, would be “very complicated [...] in terms of form and materials” due to its location next to two listed buildings - Rainham Hall and SS Helen and Giles Church.