Telford Southwater plans approved

Plans have been approved for a library and tourism office at the heart of a £250m development in Telford.

The four-storey-building will be constructed in Southwater Square, in the town centre, and is due to be finished in early 2014.

Plans for the wider Southwater scheme include an 11-screen cinema, hotel, car park, restaurants and bars.

Telford and Wrekin council said the new centre would bring several local authority-run services under one roof.

The facility, described as a "community hub", is expected to include a library, tourist information point, service desk, cafe and exhibition space.

The council said room hire and office space would also be available.

Councillor Charles Smith said the building would sit in "pride of place in the Southwater development".