A NEW library in Twyford could cost the council more than £640,000.

Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) bosses outlined proposals for the new community hub in July but an agreement with the owners of Old Polehampton Boys School building, the Polehampton Trust, for the lease of the site has not yet been secured.

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WBC leader Cllr John Halsall told the News: “We have yet to come to an agreement with the Polehampton Trust as to what this should look like, and if we don’t come to an agreement the whole thing is off.

“It is a huge amount of money but it is a listed building, and as a listed building you have to do things which are more expensive anything else.”

Despite the lack of a lease agreement, councillors are set to re-affirm their support for the plans at a meeting on Thursday, September 24.

Work planned involves converting the building into a community facility and relocating the Twyford library, which is currently situated in a porta-cabin.

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A new entrance lobby would be added to the side of the building to provide access to the library.

The Trust originally had planning permission for these works but they are due to expire, meaning applicants will have to have proposals approved once again.

It is estimated planning and design work will set the authority back £50,000, with library relocation costs reaching £17,000.

Alterations to the Old Boys School and refurbishment will cost £484,000.

Cllr Halsall added: “Fundamental to what we are trying to do in Wokingham borough is trying to bring a focus around community hubs.

“It is something that Twyford has always wanted and would benefit our strategy with helping the community.

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“It is a beautiful building and it deserves restoration and I don’t think the Polehampton Trust is in a position to do it.”