St George's Guildhall revamp among projects at risk due to funding issues in West Norfolk
10 major developments in West Norfolk have been deemed at risk - as council funding is squeezed
Several major projects in Norfolk are at risk of being delayed due to funding issues and a lack of resources.
There are ten schemes under way in west Norfolk that have been deemed at an ‘amber’ risk status, including the redevelopment of St George’s Guildhall in King’s Lynn and the riverfront regeneration.
Several developments costing tens of millions of pounds are affected, prompting councillors to raise “grave concerns” about how some projects are progressing.
The future of the beleaguered St George’s Guildhall project became a particular point of debate during a West Norfolk Council major projects board meeting on Monday.
According to the report, it is facing a lack of resources in staffing to deliver the project while it also faces increasing budget pressures.
Alexandra Kemp said: “We can’t have this falling apart and funding not arriving because we haven’t got the approvals and applications made in time. This is a grave concern.”
Questions were also raised over what the actual budget for the estimated £12m project is, after a pot of £3.4m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund was refused.
The council has previously been accused of taking a “cavalier approach” to the plan to create an ambitious, Shakespeare-themed tourist attraction at the site due to the uncertainty over funding.
Other schemes facing challenges include the Parkway development due to concerns deadlines for funding could be missed.
The viability of plans for 32 homes in on land off Southend Road in Hunstanton also came under scrutiny due to inflation increasing costs of labour and materials.
The West Winch Growth Area project is also classed as ‘amber’ status due to the uncertainty over securing the resources needed with applications for government funding due to be made soon.
Pressures on budgets due to inflation causing rising construction costs is also highlighted as having an impact on these major projects.