The library at West Byfleet is likely to be in its present home for a little longer.

PLAN/2026/0570, an application submitted to Woking Borough Council, reads: “Temporary change of use of the office (class E(g)(i)) to a public library (class F1(d)) and associated works including floodlighting and the installation of a disabled access ramp without compliance with Conditions 3 of planning permission WO/2021/0736 dated 26 August 2021 to allow for the use of the building to continue for an extended period. (This application is determined by Surrey County Council under their ref SCCRef-2026-0112 - this record is for consultation only). Old Sorting Office, Rosemount Avenue, West Byfleet

The accompanying planning statement notes that “Surrey County Council Land & Property require to extend the period of the temporary planning consent to allow continued use of the Old Sorting Office, West Byfleet as a library, for a further temporary period of up to one year to allow completion of the fit-out of Botanical Place at West Byfleet village, into which the library will be permanently relocated as soon as this becomes ready.”

The site is between Rosemount Avenue and Clare Close. It was originally occupied by Royal Mail and then commercial business space for some time. Consent for the temporary use of the site as a library was implemented in 2021.

The statement also notes: “No office floorspace would be lost in perpetuity, as a temporary consent only is sought to continue the approved use for a slightly extended period;

“Surrey County Council is legally required to provide a “comprehensive and efficient” library service to residents;

“Until the redevelopment of the former Library site at Botanical Place has been completed, there is an urgent need to extend the library use of the Old Sorting Office to ensure service continuity;

“The community use will benefit the local community and is sited in a sustainable location.”

In other planning news from Woking Borough Council, decisions made included:

PLAN/2025/0321: Permitted subject to s106 agreement. Application for changes to the granted Planning Application to the redevelopment proposals (Planning app (ref PLAN/2017/1167) and renewed by Woking BC in September 2024 (ref PLAN/2023/0981) to change the proposed commercial space to two additional flats and make internal layout changes and minor fenestration changes. Flat 1, The Anchor Public House, High Street

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