Dorking Library move plans displayed

Plans to move Dorking library from a listed building to empty town centre retail units have been displayed.

The proposals have met with objections from residents who have said access will be difficult for people who will have to park and walk to the site.

The current library at Pippbrook House has some free parking on site and a pay and display car park which is a few minutes walk away.

Surrey County Council showed its plans at the proposed site over two days.

Mole Valley District Council will consider the plans on 1 September.

'Central location'

The library is currently in Pippbrook House which Mole Valley council has been leasing to Surrey County Council, but the lease has expired.

Surrey County Council has said it wants to keep its offices at Pippbrook House, but move the library to empty retail spaces in St Martin's Walk.

Mole Valley council said Surrey's library service was looking for a more central location and a different configuration of space which would better suit users.

The district council also said that because Pippbrook House was a listed building any extensions and alterations needed to be sensitively managed.

Earlier this month, Mole Valley council said it had received more than 20 letters of concern over the county council's plans.