PLANS to build a £3 million library in Cullompton will only be approved provided eight conditions are met.

Officers at County Hall say the new two-storey community hub at Exeter Hill must have minimal impact on nearby properties.

A report drawn up for the development management committee, which will discuss the scheme tomorrow afternoon, echoes Mid Devon District Council concerns that living conditions of nearby residents are protected.

The proposal, which is also said to include a café and high-speed internet access, must also protect and be in-keeping with the conservation area.

On-site parking and access should be safe and only used by disabled visitors and archaeological evidence found at the site must be recorded.

The report also states that details of the materials for the external elevations shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the County Planning Authority before development commences.

It must also comply with town and country planning regulations and the project must start within three years of it winning approval, which is recommended.

Additional information has now been attached to the plan which included details of the photovoltaic panels used and other aspects in response to concerns recently raised by Mid Devon District Council.

The reported added: "The replacement of Cullompton Library has been considered a priority for some time, given the poor condition of the present library. It is anticipated that the current town population of 9,000, with an area catchment of 23,000, could increase by up to a third.

"The library is located at the south end of the town centre in a prominent position which will help footfall to the library and community facilities.

"The town has suffered from shop closures over the past few years and this has been recently exacerbated after a large supermarket opened at the opposite end of the town.

"Station Road car park, at the opposite end the town, has also been explored as an alternative location.

"In comparison this is not in a prominent location, would not help draw people through the town and the general public have not expressed strong support for this site during consultation events," it added.

Conservation Area Consent for the demolition of the existing health centre, which is to make way for the library, is currently being considered by the Government Office for the South West.

The site it hoped will eventually include an ICT hub for the use of private, public and voluntary sector workers, a business meeting area, external courtyard and balcony, an adult learning centre and two disabled parking spaces.

Councillor Ray Radford raised concerns about the lack of parking for other users, but the authority decided that by including more facilities in the plan would put the limited space to better use.

Devon County Council did consider purchasing the nearby magistrates court from the Ministry of Justice but a council spokesman said: "We wanted more information about its cost, when we would be able to buy it and do the work, but unfortunately it didn't fit into the time scales so it was not considered a suitable site."