PLANS to move a town’s library have received unanimous support from the local authority’s top councillors.

Orpington Library will now be moved from its current site in Church Hill to The Walnuts in Orpington High Street in a £1.9m move.

The idea of relocating the library was mooted in the Orpington Masterplan, which was published by Bromley Council in March 2008.

Protestors are angry the council wants to move London’s 10th busiest lending library from its purpose built location into an office block.

Local architect Clive Newson called the council’s initial planning application “cavalier”, adding: “They are trying to push this through come what may.”

But Council leader and chairman of the executive, Councillor Stephen Carr, argued: “This is a win-win situation.

“Existing library users will enjoy not just a modern library with street-level access, but also local residents who don’t currently use the library facilities will find it easier to do so.

News Shopper: Bromley Council leader Cllr Stephen Carr

“Importantly businesses will benefit from the 4,000 plus visits to the library each week.

“This investment gives us an exciting opportunity to re invigorate Orpington town centre, encouraging more people to visit and to stay longer.”

A survey conducted before executive councillors made their cross-party decision last Wednesday (December 9) showed just over half of library users were in favour of the move.

The plans are costly enough to need final approval at a full council meeting, which was due to take place last night (December 15).

Work on the new library is expected to get underway in May and Bromley Council hopes it will be open by the end of next year.

The existing library will be open as usual until work has finished.