PLANS to build a new state-of-the-art library and youth centre in Haslemere have been axed due to increasing costs and drainage problems. Surrey County Council and Waverley Borough Council made the shock announcement this week that "with regret" work would stop on the project to build new facilities on Waverley-owned land, at the front of the Fair Ground site, in Wey Hill. The proposed development would have replaced the current library, which operates from a converted shop in Wey Hill. Both council's claim the decision was made because of "increased costs associated with the construction and the complexity of drainage requirements on the site". A planning application for the new building which was due to be submitted to Waverley Borough Council this month will now no longer go ahead. The project was originally due to cost around £2 million but the latest developments had seen that figure more than double and the scheme was considered to have become too expensive. The decision to axe the project completely marks a dramatic U-turn after Surrey county councillor Christine Stevens told Haslemere town councillors in February this year, the new library could be open by 2009. The scheme would have involved Waverley transferring the land for the library to Surrey County Council, in exchange for the site of the closed Wey Centre, which is currently leased by the county council. The buildings on the Wey Centre site would then have been demolished and used as part of a scheme to provide pay and display parking. The proposed building would have had separate entrances for the library and youth centre and would also have housed a coffee bar and computer suite. This week councillors involved in the project assured residents the search for a new site would continue and a dedicated youth service would be run from the Wey Centre later this year. Christine Stevens, Haslemere and Surrey County Council's executive member for safer and stronger communities, said: "I am bitterly disappointed that this scheme has had to be cancelled. "This is as near as we have ever got in my 20 years as a councillor, to a new library for Haslemere and I know this will come as a blow to many people. "We have really bent over backwards to make this scheme work – involving considerable effort with a wide range of parties to design and develop the building. "However, costs have rocketed to over twice the two million bill previously endorsed. That simply cannot be justified to the taxpayer". She went on to say: "Despite this body blow, I remain committed to delivering a new library for Haslemere and we will continue to work closely with Waverley Borough Council to identify a suitable opportunity. "In the interim I have asked that the existing library undergoes refurbishment and redecoration to improve the facility for the community. "The refurbishment will involve internal redecoration, the relocation of public access computers and the creation of more public space on the first floor. "The new arrangement would make learning sessions using the public access computers viable and improve the arrangement and presentation of the stock. "Thankfully, the existing Wey Centre is currently being refurbished for young people and youth services will resume there in September." She told The Herald Surrey County Council would continue to work with Waverley Borough Council to look "at the town as a whole and see where it might be possible in the future". Richard Gates, leader of Waverley Borough Council, confirmed his support for developing a new library for the town said: "The Fair Ground car park must not be allowed to continue in its present state. We will therefore look at our options for improving it. "We will investigate lighting, resurfacing and drainage, whilst improving the existing layout." Haslemere Town Mayor Stephen Mulliner said: "I can't say I'm completely surprised that with the increase in costs Surrey felt unable to go forward with the project. Speaking about finding an alternative site in the town, Mr Mulliner said: "I think we just have to be sensible. This has passed into a new phase and it will take some time before the site and funding can be found. "The good thing is no one wants to give up but this particular plan has been damaged by the increase in costs."
