It took more than a decade and at least 15 attempts to find the right place to put it. But now Wymondham's long-awaited new public library is rapidly taking shape as construction of the £2m facility at the Central Hall car park passes the halfway stage.

It took more than a decade and at least 15 attempts to find the right place to put it.

But now Wymondham's long-awaited new public library is rapidly taking shape as construction of the £2m facility at the Central Hall car park passes the halfway stage.

Norfolk County Council leader Daniel Cox launched the project in September last year when he got to work with a road drill to cut the surface, ready for contractors to begin reshaping the entrance to the public car park.

The town centre site is easily accessible which was one of the key requirements. And the spacious new building will replace existing cramped facilities at the current library at Becket's Chapel - an ancient listed building that cannot meet the needs of Wymondham's rapidly expanding population.

Jennifer Holland, head of the county's library and information service, said she is pleased with the way the project is progressing.

“It is coming on very nicely and we are on target for topping out on May 1. There will then still be a great deal to do, including all the IT installations necessary in a modern library. We can look forward to the library opening later in the year,” she

said.

Situated between the Central Hall and the town football club, the building will house 5,000 more books than the old chapel library as well as more computers.

Mr Cox, who lives in Wymondham, said local residents are eagerly anticipating its completion.

“The new library will be twice as big as what we have got now. There will be a greatly increased range of facilities and it's in a great location as well.”

The town centre is in a conservation area, so finding a suitable site for a new building was not easy, he explained, adding: “We have been quite fortunate that the Central Hall, Wymondham Town Council and the football club have been so accommodating.”

The new library blocks off the direct vehicular entrance to the hall, so the football club and town council offered a strip of land adjoining the site to create a dual access, and maximise parking provision.