News release

The newly refurbished library and community centre at Allerton Bywater Millennium Community, near Leeds, was formally opened to the public on Tuesday 6 April 2004. Around 300 people attended the event. The ceremony was led by local MP Colin Burgon and attended by representatives of Leeds City Council, including Leader Keith Wakefield and Councillors Keith Parker and James Lewis.

Part of the former infants' school has been transformed into a library designed to serve the needs of the entire community. The library, which is operated by Leeds City Council, has relocated from the existing primary school to allow new classrooms to be provided. The remainder of the building will be used by the community for childcare, training and café facilities.

National regeneration agency, English Partnerships, has funded the renovation of the school after local residents decided the distinctive Victorian building should be preserved. The original King George V Coronation clock has also been restored. Allerton Bywater Community Partnership – a charitable company set up for the community by English Partnerships – will operate the building.

Commenting on the latest stage in the provision of amenities for the development, Les Brown, Project Director for Allerton Bywater Millennium Community, said, "The needs of local people should be at the heart of any project we embark upon and this is exactly what we’re achieving with the refurbishment of this landmark building. The Millennium Communities Programme is all about creating sustainable development and a key element of this is the provision of services for the benefit of the whole community."

Colin Burgon, MP for Allerton Bywater, added, "I am delighted that Allerton Bywater is seeing the benefits of its Millennium Community status. The wonderful work carried out on the old school has been warmly welcomed by those who have fond memories of their time spent there and it will prove to be of lasting value for future generations in the village."

Allerton Bywater Millennium Community, a 24 ha former colliery site, will provide 520 homes and 25,000 sq m of commercial and community space. English Partnerships started working on a range of social and community facilities in the village during 2002.

The next stage of the development is to refurbish the Miner''s Welfare Hall, which will be completed by the end of spring 2004. The building was an integral part of the day-to-day lives of the residents of Allerton Bywater. Housing construction will commence in summer 2004.