A LIBRARY which is currently located in a cramped portacabin could soon move to a permanent home, five times larger than the current site.Developers Bovis Homes want to create a sheltered housing complex just off Ropes Drive in Kesgrave but the land they have earmarked is 'district centre' land which means it should be used for services that contribute to the community such as banks and smaller retail outlets.

A LIBRARY which is currently located in a cramped portacabin could soon move to a permanent home, five times larger than the current site.

Developers Bovis Homes want to create a sheltered housing complex just off Ropes Drive in Kesgrave but the land they have earmarked is 'district centre' land which means it should be used for services that contribute to the community such as banks and smaller retail outlets.

However, it has become clear over the past few years that this will not be as viable as first thought, as there has been a lack of interest from this kind of developer, and planners are now open to other options.

The new development will contain a block of 42 sheltered apartments for the elderly but local authorities, keen to see some of the land kept for the community, have also asked for the inclusion of a new library building.

Kesgrave's current library is located in a portacabin in Tesco car park and is extremely short of space. There is nowhere for people to sit and browse through books, and there is poor access for disabled people or those with buggies.

Phil Halliwell, locality manager for Suffolk Coastal libraries, said: "The old one has done the job but it's very cramped. The new development would give us a purpose-built modern building four or five times the size of the one we've got at the moment, so we would be delighted."

The current plans are a revised set, submitted after concerns were raised about the original height of the buildings by Kesgrave town council and a number of residents.

A spokesman for the town council said: "We have no objections to the revised plans and the library will be a wonderful facility for the community.

"We are, however, keen to ensure that the district centre land remaining after this development is used for community purposes."

The plans are due to go before Suffolk Coastal's development control sub-committee in November.

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