THE futuristic design of Selby's new community house has been branded a "monstrosity" by a district councillor.

Coun Doreen Davis has labelled the £1.4 million centre - which got the go ahead after eight years of campaigning - as "ugly" and "cheap-looking".

The "one-stop" centre, in Portholme Road, in Selby, will bring most of the area's charities and support groups under one roof, providing easy access for residents.

Council planners last year praised the "extremely high quality" design and appearance of the building, which has cedar wood panelling on the walls and an aluminium roof.

But Coun Davis said the centre, which was unveiled this week after months of construction work, bears little resemblance to the plans she saw.

She said: "I have watched with interest the uncovering of this building and after viewing it with the removal of its covering I am very disappointed with the outcome that I now see.

"Its form and character is not in keeping with our market town. In my opinion it is ugly - a cheap-looking monstrosity that does not blend in with the rest of Selby's scenery around it."

The first groups are expected to move in to the building next month with an official launch planned for later in the year.

Facilities include a large conference room, interview and meeting rooms and a reception area with internet facilities.

It will be run by the Selby District Association of Voluntary Services (AVS), and has been funded by the district council, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.

Coun Davis said: "I sit on the planning committee at Selby District Council and it certainly did not appear to look like that on the plans I saw.

"I invite our local town people to visit the site and see for themselves and make a judgment as to what they think it looks like."

Charities moving into the centre include AVS, Citizens' Advice Bureau, Selby Vision, Alcohol Advice Service, WRVS, Lifelong Learning, Alzheimer's Society, Community Transport and Selby Advocacy, along with victim support and domestic violence workers.

A spokesman for Selby AVS said the group had no comment to make.

Updated: 11:55 Tuesday, May 09, 2006