A CONTROVERSIAL planning application for a glass and steel library in Dursley is likely to be granted permission next week despite strong town objection.

Gloucestershire County Council's planning committee is likely to give consent for the replacement library building when it meets next Tuesday.

Officers have recommended councillors give approval subject to several conditions.

But space-age library has been widely criticised for not fitting in with the make-up of the market town.

As reported last week, Dursley Town Council objected on the grounds the design is not in keeping with the rest of the conservation area.

Planning and town improvements committee chairman Cllr Anne-Marie Rutter said, although members are delighted the town is getting a library at last, they are not so keen on the design.

"The council would have preferred it if the design for the building had been a bit more traditional," said Cllr Rutter. "The building is not what we had hoped for as it is not in keeping with the mood of Dursley."

She said the committee aimed to represent local feeling - "We were under the impression that the general view of the town was that the library design is not the shape or material that people wanted to see."

Cllr Rutter added that she felt her hands were somewhat tied, explaining: "We did not want to protest too much as we did not want to jeopardise the new facility but we would have liked to have seen a different building for the new library."

The county council says the building has been designed to provide state-of-the-art library facilities to replace the present premises.

"The brief for the design of the building required a departure from traditional library design in order to cater for the modern library concept," it continues.

"It is important that the building is designed to encourage all people to enter. It was decided that the shape and design should play a role in stimulating curiosity."

The council also believes the building will enhance the town centre.

It states: "While different from its surroundings, the building is intended to enhance the area and provide a high standard for future regeneration of the immediate vicinity.

"The building design, location and sustainability and environmental features are similarly in line with government design and guidance, and present an exciting opportunity for Dursley and the surrounding area."

County council representative for Dursley Cllr Geoff Wheeler welcomed the news the library was likely to get the go-ahead.

"The benefit of the new library is very clear and many people support a new library in Dursley," he said. "It will provide more space for a larger number of services with county and district council facilities and a community area."

Cllr Wheeler added the objections have been over the design of the building itself.

"While there are some architecturally significant buildings in Dursley, others are not so good," he said. "And I believe that by building this innovative design in the town we will set the scene for the regeneration."