Permission for a new library in Harpenden High Street has been granted.

Harpenden library in Vaughan Road will be relocated in to a shop building in 27 High Street, following a unanimous decision at a Hertfordshire County Council committee meeting today (Tuesday).

The relocation was considered by cabinet in June 2012 and the county council brought the site in July 2012.

The building, which used to be an Argos store will now combine a library and youth services, provided by Youth Connexions.

The decision follows the county council's need to find a site to relocate the library and improve library and youth services. Library services will be located on the ground floor and youth services will be located on the first floor, with access provided by a lift.

Chay Dempster, planning officer, said: “This library will hopefully generate more people into Harpenden High Street and we hope for an increased usage.”

Concerns were raised during the discussion over the loss of a retail site on the High Street and the problem of parking, because the site does not provide a car park.

However, Mr Dempster said the loss of one retail site was “small” and users had the opportunity to park in car parks in Bowers Way East car park, behind the High Street.

Plans for the new library will include various activities for teenagers including drama, performing arts, cooking, a pool table, tennis table, cafe area and general youth work, which would run in to the evening at around 10pm and on weekends.

Councillor Bernard Lloyd, representing the Harpenden North East Ward 'strongly supported' the relocation of the new library.

He said: “Being located right in the middle of the town centre will encourage more users into the library and more people in to Harpenden.”

Harpenden Free School has put in proposals to use the current library building in Vaughan Road as the school.