PLANS to develop a library into housing have been scrapped.

Lyme Regis Development Trust (LRDT) had proposed the redevelopment of the library site on Silver Street, Lyme Regis, into affordable housing after it was gifted the land by Dorset County Council (DCC) five years ago.

David Gale, lead trustee for LRDT, says plans for the site - which included a new library - have drawn to a close.

"After considerable efforts dating back more than five years, the trust, together more recently with its local housing association development partner, has finally been forced to the conclusion that the scheme is no longer financially viable and will not be progressing the project any further," said Mr Gale.

"The proposed scheme would have been of significant community benefit with provision of a replacement modern library and affordable housing of much needed one-bedroom flats for rent, based on the site being generously gifted by Dorset County Council.

"The investment of the trust included geotechnical analysis of the site ground conditions but this, together with the associated structural design outcomes after further cost analysis and careful financial appraisal, has proved the project to be no longer financially viable despite the significant anticipated financial contribution from LRDT and further income from the inclusion of market flats. Along the way all other logical avenues have been explored, but it is now felt there is no viable solution given the current uncertainty over increasing construction costs and prevailing government public finance for housing.

"Lyme Regis Development Trust remain grateful to the council for the offer of gifting the land and their continued collaborative support throughout this investigative design development stage."

Daryl Turner, cabinet member for natural and built environment, said the county council was 'very sorry' to learn the solution put forward for the site by the trust was no longer viable.

He confirmed the county council has no plans to do anything else with the site or to change the operation of the library at the current time.