PLANNERS will decide this week whether to grant permission for a £7 million super-library and cultural centre in Winchester.

The landmark redevelopment of the library in Jewry Street will be the biggest public building project in Winchester for ten years.

The ambitious complex will feature a museum, art gallery, 180-seat auditorium, classrooms, space for IT and a cafe as well as re-homing the city's lending and reference libraries.

A new public open space called "Theatre Square" will be provided between the library and the next-door Theatre Royal.

The public lavatories in Jewry Street will also be replaced as part of the plans.

Members of Winchester City Council's planning committee will formally consider the application on Thursday.

However, it will be up to planning councillors at Hampshire County Council to make a final decision on the scheme's go-ahead within the next few months. Andrew Smith, head of development at the county council, said: "We want Winchester to have a cultural centre which people across the wider region talk about and envy."

Planning officers will recommend in a report to the committee at Thursday's meeting that members approve the plans. In their report they describe the plan as "a refreshing scheme".

The council has received one letter of objection to the plans, saying they are in the wrong place and the library should be built within the Broadway Friarsgate redevelopment.

Plans and a model of the development were put on display in the library at the end of last year when members of the public were able to see the proposals for the first time.

County bosses hope to complete the cultural centre project by 2007.