The proposed £3.5m redevelopment of Maylord Orchards to create a new library and learning resource centre is a key project in the Hereford Town Investment Plan. The project will establish a modern library service and Learning Resource Centre at the heart of the city, re-purposing a key area of Hereford in creating new reasons for people to visit and spend time and money across the centre as a whole. The Learning Resource Centre will provide facilities to enable local people to access the support they need to develop their skills, and access new employment opportunities such as the council’s Adults and Community Learning Service.

Following the decline in retail, accelerated through Covid 19, all towns and cities need to consider how the will regenerate and re-purpose creating new opportunities for trade, employment, living and studying. In creating a revitalised and vibrant city centre, a key focus of the Hereford Town Investment Plan is developing a refocused mixed use offer focused on learning and culture. The new library and Learning Resource Centre is a key part of this strategy. Two other complimentary proposed projects that may also be located in Maylord Orchards will further enhance the cultural and educational offer, creating a local hub (being led by Powerhouse and Rural Media separately).

In order to meet the required Stronger Towns Funding deadlines and to keep the project progressing a range of technical support is required. To date the council has commissioned Mace Ltd to lead a design team through RIBA Stages 2, and 3 Further technical works are required to finalise the design, seek planning approval, to procure contractors and implement the project.

Subject to this decision, the council intends to procure in accordance with the Contract Procedure Rules a specialist Project Management and design team to lead the phased development of the project including the completion of RIBA stage 2, planning application stage (RIBA stage 3), procurement of a contractor (RIBA stage 4) and the implementation and handover of the building (RIBA Stages 5/6) on a call off basis.