THE FUTURE of Huddersfield's imposing library and art gallery is uncertain.

But today one of the people set to have a key say in the decisions about the building said there were several choices.

Jonathan Drake, director of Kirklees Council Cultural Services, said demolition and a new gallery and library was only one idea.

Councillors met in Huddersfield last night to appoint consultants to examine not only the future of the library building, but also of the next-door Piazza shopping centre and Queensgate Market Hall.

The cost of building a replacement library and art gallery could be up to £25m, it has been revealed. But the building could be saved - and improved - for less.

Councillors have said that demolishing the library/art gallery building - which needs repairs costing £3m to £5m - was a possibility under proposals to modernise the town centre.

But opposition has already been voiced to demolishing the library building. It is regarded as a fine example of "stripped classical" architecture and is one of the town's best 20th century buildings.

Consultants who have already looked at the building have suggested two main alternatives to demolition.

Mr Drake said the first choice would be to "gut" the building, fill in the light wells and completely change the interior. Some storage facilities could be moved to Red Doles Lane, Bradley Mills.

"This is a minimum option, though it would make a lot of difference," he said.

The second option was a bigger scheme, in which the building could be extended. "You could build round the bottom of the building, at ground level, creating a new reception area to welcome people to the art gallery.

"If you built round the back of the building, you could build up taller, and create more space that way."

It could also be possible to put a new top floor on the building, with a new pitched roof, which would give better long-term weather protection.

Mr Drake said that if the building was altered, flexibility would be the key, to enable future developments.

"Re-configuring the building in either of these ways could cost £4m to £5m or £6m to £8m, or a little more," he said. "It depends on just how much redevelopment there is."

Mr Drake said he did not think it was a good idea to split the library and art gallery, as some people have suggested.

"We have a big building and a good central site. I don't think there is much in the way of an alternative," he said. "The railway warehouse site, between Fitzwilliam Street and Trinity Street, is too far from the town centre."

Mr Drake said he did not have a particular personal preference about the building's future.

It was the borough's most visited building, but the art gallery suffered because it was on the second floor.

"We would need a good refurbishment, reflecting the quality of what's inside," he added.

"We can learn from successful retail design. We need a classic design, which will work now and in the future."

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