Bigger-than-planned car park likely at Telford library site

Plans to bulldoze Telford town centre library to build a multi-storey car park on the site even bigger than originally planned, are set to get the go ahead.

Telford & Wrekin Council had already got planning permission for a seven-level, 604-space car park on the site between the coach station and Southwater Way. It was designed so that an extension could be added if required.

A report to members of the council's plans board, who meet next Wednesday, says: "The opportunity is available to bring forward the vertical element now.

"This would avoid the significant operational disruption that would inevitably occur is the structure was built and then extended."

The council now plans an eight-level car park providing 697 spaces, 30 of which would be for disabled drivers, 12 for parents with children on board, 10 for motorcycles and 26 for bicycles.

The plan, to be considered by the councillors next week, would see the library and credit union building currently on the site demolished to make way.

Councillors will hear that a temporary library is to be provided from the start of the demolition to the anticipated opening of a new Community Hub Library elsewhere on Southwater in 2014. Landscaping, tree planting to create a new 'public realm' are also included in the proposal.

The meeting says the building 'meets the urban design policies contained within the adopted Wrekin Local Plan and Core Strategy'.

Members are recommended to grant permission for the development, subject to the council contributing £8,702 towards associated highways works and £3,500 for planning and financial monitoring.