Concerns over plan for new library at Malton (From Gazette & Herald)

Concerns over plan for new library at Malton

1:54pm Wednesday 1st February 2012 in News

AN AMBITIOUS plan to create a new community complex, including a new library near Malton railway station, has been met with opposition from councillors.

Stanley Harrison House has been identified as a possible joint library for Malton and Norton and tourist information centre, as well as an alternative venue to Community House in Wentworth Street.

But Malton town councillors said at their meeting last week that the new location would be inconvenient for residents because it was isolated.

Coun Paul Andrews feared that it would take people away from the town centre shopping areas.

Coun David Lloyd-Williams said a joint meeting with Norton Town Council was planned for later this month.

“Moving the tourist information centre to Harrison House is meaningless because Malton station is not a place where tourists arrive,” he added.

Coun Joan Lawrence said the existing tourist information centre was a key place for ticket sales for productions at the Milton Rooms, but Harrison House would be an inconvenient place for the public to get to.

The councillors agreed to defer a decision on plans which are due to go before Ryedale District Council’s planning committee until they had met with Norton Town Council.