DESIGNS for a 'desperately needed' new health centre and library in Little Lever will be reworked before it is built.

Councillors this week approved the long-awaited development of the village's old Tesco Metro site, but only on the condition that no wooden cladding is used on the building.

Artist's impressions revealed last year showed that the centre would have cedar cladding on its exterior, which serious concerns were raised over.

One objector speaking at Thursday's planning committee meeting said that the architect should be ‘ashamed’ of the design, claiming the wood would need annual maintenance at great expense to the town hall.

Committee members shared such concerns about the potential deterioration of the cladding, and imposed a condition — suggested by Cllr Ann Cunliffe — that no wooden cladding is used in the final designs for the site.

Cllr Elaine Sherrington said the contractor who designed the site should be asked to ‘come up with something better’.

The new facility will house three local GP practices and also replace the existing library in Coronation Square.

Former council leader Cliff Morris said it was ‘about time’ that the town hall got on with this development.

UKIP's Cllr Sean Hornby said that the development was 'desperately needed in Little Lever'.

He added: "I have always been supportive of the library and health centre. Indeed, I have had several meetings with the leader and the executive member regarding the proposal.

"My only concern was and still is a sensitive use for the current library ,which was built as a memorial library to commemorate the people who died in the First World War whose names are on the cenotaph on the front of the library."

The future use of the current library building has yet to be determined, but it is hoped that it can be retained for community use and that the Little Lever war memorial will be retained and preserved.