HASLEMERE'S long-awaited new library has been labelled "a missed opportunity" with the building's design coming under fire.
The Haslemere Society has called for a number of improvements but has stopped short of calling for a re-design, which would delay the long-awaited project.
The society met on Monday to agree its views after seeing the planning application submitted by the county council for the proposed new library and youth centre in Wey Hill.
It said that it supports the position of the building, which will be seen from all directions, resulting in a window of opportunity to create something special in the town.
"This makes it an exciting and important opportunity to add a fine landmark building to the town's facilities," society chairman David Smith told The Herald.
"The Haslemere Society wishes to be supportive of this long-awaited scheme and has no desire to be the cause of even further delay."
However, Mr Smith said that there was great disappointment over the design of the landmark building and called for the architects to make a series of minor changes to bring about an improvement.
"The scheme is architecturally disappointing and represents a missed opportunity," he said.
"For instance, the very prominent lead-clad ridge ventilators to the library, stair tower and west wing are dominating and unattractive.
"They look like industrial venting and will provide excellent perching for pigeons with resultant staining. More normal and less obtrusive venting should be used.
"The cedar cladding chosen for the exposed south and west elevations will not last as long as a masonry wall.
"Stone filled wire gabions are proposed to the lower parts of the rear and end walls below the library. Gabions are suitable mostly for civil engineering and landscaping applications.
"The wire baskets are ugly will be a receptacle for rubbish and are not vandal resistant.
"There are more suitable walling materials that could be used against which climbing plants could be grown in order to soften the appearance of this urban building."
Mr Smith also said that Surrey County Council had also designed the interior to "reflect an expensive wish-list of SCC library and youth service departments" adding further unnecessary expense.
"There is a distinct emphasis on the provision of facilities for staff. The proposed covered and secure staff parking within the building is grossly extravagant and an affront to council taxpayers.
"A patio for staff use on sunny days is another. All of this has resulted in an increased size and cost of the building."
The society has also criticised the access arrangements to the £2 million library and youth centre.
"There are problems of pedestrian access with the entrance only on the Wey Hill frontage, except a rear entrance for the disabled via a security intercom," Mr Smith said.
"Most library users will arrive via the car park and so will need to walk round up the embankment.
"Also there is existing pedestrian traffic to the Wey Hill shops. The proposed narrow path and steps up the west side of the new building are totally inadequate. A wider ramp suitable for prams is needed."
One major aspect of the project is the land swap deal between the county and Waverley Borough Council which owns the proposed site of the library.
This will see Waverley hand over the car park area in exchange for the county-owned Wey Centre site at the bottom of the site and transform it into a car parking area.
Mr Smith said that it was vital that the two councils work together to ensure that Haslemere does not lose out on parking facilities.
"Despite the removal of the Wey Centre, erecting a building with such a large footprint has implications for a car park which is so heavily used," he said.
"Haslemere has a serious problem in providing sufficient space for meeting today's needs, let alone tomorrow's.
"It is vital, therefore, that this proposed new building does not add to the problem. The society believes that a project to surface the car park for both commuters and local usage should run in tandem with the building scheme.
"This would permit marking out spaces to enable more parking."
The planning application is currently with planners and although Waverley is carrying out a public consultation, it is itself a consultee with the final decision falling to Surrey County Council.
Mr Smith urged the county council to listen to Haslemere residents because "there is still much to be improved in this application".
"It is to be hoped that Surrey County Council will listen and act accordingly before the scheme is approved."
The plans are currently on display at the existing Haslemere Library.
MP Jeremy Hunt also backed the calls to ensure that the design of the library is suitable for the town, but added that he was "delighted" that the new facility was on its way.
"It is essential that the people of Haslemere decide on the design of the library as it must be right for Haslemere," he said.
"I have long campaigned for more facilities for the young and the new library will be a great addition for the whole community to enjoy."