THE future of High Wycombe's new library is in doubt, until finance for the town's Western Sector development gets sorted out.

Buckinghamshire County Council has £3 million set aside for a new library and it is intended to be built as part of the Western Sector. The current library was built in 1932 and does not have the modern services or facilities for disabled customers.

At Thursday's county council meeting, High Wycombe councillor Trevor Fowler asked what effect the collapsing of the financing plans would have.

"The failure of this scheme is likely to completely destroy plans for Wycombe library," he said.

Margaret Dewar, cabinet member responsible for community services, said she had several alternative plans but she hoped that they would not be necessary.

"We recognise the need for more library space in High Wycombe, so there has to be a Plan B. But we don't want to be going to Plan B."

Earlier this month Great Portland Estates (GPE) pulled out of the deal with the developers, Dutch company MAB, to finance the £95 million project. MAB now needs other backers, and is understood to have a Dutch bank in the wings.

On Thursday MAB met Alan Fulford the Wycombe district councillor responsible for major projects such as the Western Sector.

After the meeting he said nothing had been decided.

"There are a lot of questions unanswered. They [MAB] are working very hard to put an alternative package together and have said they are totally committed.

"They have told us they have someone in Holland."