BASINGSTOKE will get a Discovery Centre – but it has been dramatically scaled down from the original plans.

Proposals to build a new multi-million pound centre at The Malls have been replaced by an upgraded refurbishment of the existing Festival Place library.

However, the revised scheme has attracted criticism from a prominent borough councillor, who has branded it a “Discovery Centre light” and a “superficial facelift”.

Councillor Laura James, leader of the borough Labour group, said: “This has been in the pipeline for so long and I would like to know where all the money is that was promised for the original idea.

“This is not a Discovery Centre but a superficial facelift to the library. Winchester and Gosport have been given fancy Discovery Centres, why not Basingstoke?

“I’m glad this is finally coming but it should have been more than just a library upgrade.”

The town’s Discovery Centre will cost £1million and the money will come from the borough and county council. The project is an upgrade to a planned £377,000 refurbishment that was due to take place this September.

The more expensive revamp will go ahead early next year and the library will be closed for six months.

The original multi-million pound Discovery Centre proposals were mothballed by Hampshire County Council in October last year.

This new set of plans will include a cafe, museum pods, a performance space for author talks, acoustic sets, and the first Hantsdirect local – a drop-in facility offering information on services from the county.

There will also be an extended Citizens Advice Bureau, a personal changing suite and sensory clinics for adults with extra care needs, and a new lift.

Basingstoke-based company Eli Lilly will contribute £25,500 to a business suite complete with wi-fi access and video conferencing equipment.

Councillor Ken Thornber, leader of Hampshire County Council, defended the scaled-down plans.

He said: “Basingstoke is Hamp-shire’s second busiest library with over 360,000 visits each year.

“We were always committed to providing Basingstoke with the best possible library and after plans to relocate it last October had to be withdrawn due to the property slump, we have worked extremely hard with the council to provide a unique integrated Discovery Centre.”