A £7.4 million library, café and offices will be built on a city estate.

Plans for the new “community hub” in Whitehawk have been approved by Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee.

The development, which includes a community café, meeting rooms and information offices, will be near Whitehawk Primary School in Whitehawk Road.

It is part of an overall plan, funded jointly by the Government and local authority, to centralise community facilities in one area of the city estate.

The building, which has a curved glazed frontage and a “living roof”, was designed by the council’s in-house architectural team, More than 50 parking places will be provided and, despite the planned construction of a footpath, residents have raised questions about disabled access.

The project will be partly funded by the sale of land occupied by the current library, expected to fetch about £1 million.

It is expected to be completed and open in September 2011.

Labour ward councillor Warren Morgan said: “This is good news for Whitehawk and it means that another £5 million of Government money is being invested in local community facilities.

“There are still access issues we need to sort out but the new buildings will be very welcome.”

Conservative Lynda Hyde, chairwoman of the committee, said: “People were very pleased to see the application come forward.

“It’s a wonderful facility for the local residents and being placed near to the school I’m sure they will take advantage of what this new development will offer.”

Green councillor and member of planning committee, Amy Kennedy said: “At a time when local authorities up and down the country are closing their libraries, I’m really proud the council is investing in building new facilities.”

Council officers said they will consult residents and groups about the services to be offered in the next few months.