BEWDLEY’S library could be moved into the town’s proposed health centre and pharmacy development.

Worcestershire County Council will launch a 12-week public consultation on the proposal, which would see the library, currently based in Load Street, become part of Bewdley Medical Centre’s planned move to the Dog Lane carpark site.

The council’s cabinet gave the consultation, which will start in the next few weeks, the green light at a meeting at County Hall last Thursday.

The plan is part of a county-wide proposal to save £1.9 million from the library budget by 2015/16.

Conservative councillor Lucy Hodgson, cabinet member for localism and communities, said: “The plans to relocate Bewdley Library would not only save the taxpayer money but, more importantly, ensure the town has a centrally-located library service.

“Despite the pressures on budgets, we have not yet closed one library service in Worcestershire.

This is because the approach we’ve adopted has not been a simple onesize fits all.

“We’ll now be asking people in the community if these proposals put together are right for them and for Bewdley. I’d encourage those with a view to get in touch and let usknow.”

Councillors said the project couldbe completedby December next year, would save about £7,000 a year and result in the long-term sustainability of a libraryin the town.

Conservative councillor John Campion, cabinet member for transformation and commissioning, added: “We are making the most of our assets so we can protect our frontline services.”