Luke’s campaign for new library for Peverell hits huge milestone as the City Council cabinet agrees to increase capital programme to invest £1.5 million for Peverell library and new community facilities at Pounds House.

• Luke Pollard and Peverell’s Labour Councillors have been campaigning for Peverell Library to get a new home after successful campaign to stop the former Tory Council closing library.
• Plymouth’s Labour cabinet has agreed to seek the £1.5m at the next full council meeting. Work will start in the late summer of 2020 after Pounds House is used as the base for the Wompanoag community and their public art project in the Mayflower commemorations.
• Luke Pollard: “Two years ago, the Tories tried to close Peverell library, which is a vital service for local people. Now it’s getting a brand new home with Labour.”

Luke Pollard, who us running for re-election as the Labour MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, has welcomed news from Plymouth City Council that his campaign for a new library in Peverell has been a success. Plymouth City Council’s Labour-run Cabinet has, today, confirmed that they will seek approval for a £1.5 million investment for the refurbishment of Pounds House and the move of Peverell library to its new home in Central Park. The Library will move from the building the council rents on Peverell Park Road, to Pounds House which is already owned by the council subject to approval by the council in December.

The Labour Controlled council will approve the capital programme on December 16th, to confirm the new funding.

Luke Pollard, working with local Peverell councillors Sarah Allen and Jeremy Goslin, successfully campaigned to save the library from being closed by the former Plymouth City Council and to give it a whole new lease of life at Pounds House.

Luke Pollard said:

“Two years ago, the Tories tried to close Peverell library, which is a vital service for local people. Now it’s getting a brand new home with Labour.

In 2017 I said I would give Plymouth’s voice back in Parliament, but I also said I would campaign on local issues. Keeping Peverell Library
open, and moving it to a sustainable long term, home is one of those campaigns I’m really proud of.”

Councillor Jeremy Goslin, Labour Councillor for Peverell said:

“Pounds House is a jewel in the crown of Central Park, and we are going to bring it back to its former glory with a complete refurbishment! This iconic building will provide a beautiful hub for learning, enjoyment, and celebration, bringing the community together in the heart of our park.”

Councillor Sarah Allen, Labour Councillor for Peverell said:

“This funding will transform this beautiful house in the heart of Peverell into a community hub and a space for learning, celebration and friendship.”

The investment will see Pounds House restored, and improved with a whole host of new services. This could include a café, a community space, toilet facilities and a wedding venue as well as the library, pending
a public consultation.

The renovations will begin after the Mayflower 400 commemorations, as Pounds House and its grounds will be used by the Wampanoag community and other Native American artists as part of that.