Unforeseen costs and consultancy fees are being blamed on the increased cost of Paignton Library and community hub.
Despite the lack of inflation, the predicted cost of Paignton’s new library has risen from £5.4 million to £6.33 million.
The rise of nearly £1 million has been put down to ‘unforeseen additional construction costs’, plus increased tender costs and consultancy fees.
The rise puts the price tag of cost per square metre at £2,220, as opposed to the original £1,688.
Cllr Steve Darling told the Herald Express: “The cost has gone up by 20 per cent. It’s huge.
“In principal we would support the new library. But can we really afford this extra cost, especially in this current economic climate?
“I fear we will be putting ourselves in a position where other residents’ services will be impacted and suffer. Is this a bridge too far?”
Deputy mayor Cllr Kevin Carroll told the paper: “It will be a fantastic building. We are so far down the road we can’t really go back. Sometimes you have to take risks even at difficult times.”
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