A Finchley library will be closed and moved into a new housing development if plans are approved later this year.

Barnet Council today announced its plans to shut down the Finchley Church End building, in Hendon Lane, and reopen the facility in nearby Gateway House.

Developers are looking to convert the 1950s block of offices, in Regent's Park Road, into flats and the library will be encompassed in the new building.

A public exhibition of the plans is being held on Wednesday and the authority is looking for residents’ feedback.

Planning applications for the move are expected to be submitted in April by planners Metropolis on behalf of developers Chris Savva and the Pears Family Trust.

Barnet Council says it close to agreeing a long term lease of the building at a low rent.

The new library would cover 800 square metres across two floors of the large development.

The existing Church End building, opened in 1964, will remain open until its replacement is completed and staff are expected to be transferred to the new location.

New facilities including a café, study spaces and meeting rooms form part of the plans and the council hopes to have the new building open by 2015.

A public exhibition on the proposals will be held at Gateway House, 318-330 Regent’s Park Road, from 4pm to 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 27.