PLANS for a new library have been described by local councillors as "too futuristic" for a conservation area and "inappropriate" for the centre of Alton.

Described by Hampshire County Council architects as "a building of its time", the proposal has nevertheless received the thumbs down from Alton Town Council's planning committee who would prefer a library of more traditional design.

The concerns follow a presentation by project architect, Martin Hallum, and architectural team leader, Alec Gilles, who attended last Wednesday's planning committee meeting in a bid to persuade councillors that the design would be right for Alton. They were disappointed.

Members were generally unhappy, both with the design and, in particular, the materials which they felt would be totally alien to the surrounding area.

To be twice the size of the existing library, the brief, according to Mr Hallum, was to achieve maximum use of the site which he has tried to do by providing a three-storey building with a ground floor which will extend right up to the northern boundary.

Confined to the eastern end, and paid for by the construction of six town houses on the rest of the site, the whole of the ground floor will be transparent at the front, and will afford views of the shelves from the outside, with a weightier element above softened by lime rendering in relief form.

On an architectural level, the aim was to keep the design "simple, modern and subtle" using modern materials in a traditional way so that they would fit in with the conservation area.

"This is not about metal and concrete but about using materials with an historical context which are low in terms of maintenance and will age with a degree of dignity," explained Mr Hallum.

Natural lime render is to be used across the front of the building with copper on the roof and at either end which should, according to the architects, gain a green patina associated with mediaeval buildings.

But councillors were sceptical. Town mayor David Willoughby expressed fears that the copper would take many years to mellow and could leave green streaks down the limework. He also queried the wisdom of introducing such a vast expanse of copper when it was not used elsewhere in the town.

Like his fellow councillors, he was concerned over the great expanse of rendered concrete which would be clearly visible from the car park side of the building.

"This is an interesting design," he told the architects, "and I welcome the amount of work put into the concept, but I am not sure it is right for Alton town."

Again reflecting popular opinion, Mr Willoughby said he would like to see the main entrance moved from its proposed site facing Bakers Alley. "That corner is relatively dangerous with two way traffic at the entrance to the car park and I am concerned particularly for youngsters running down the alley and across the road," he said.

Chairing the meeting, Paddy Mendham pointed out that one of Alton's attractions was the old buildings which served to enhance the town. It also had a number of buildings which did not and he believed this would be one of them.

A model of the proposed building is currently on show in the existing library.