Fears have been raised that an £11.5 million plan to breathe new life into Maryport will suffer due to soaring costs.
The Government awarded the cash to the town from the Future High Streets Fund, intended to finance a major regeneration scheme including a refurbishment of the Carlton Cinema into a cultural hub; creation of swimming facilities at the Wave Centre and relocation of Maryport Maritime Museum into the former Christ Church building.
However, there are concerns the projects may not be achievable due to the rising cost of materials and fuel – and there will be no increase to meet the rising cost of the work.
It comes after Allerdale council’s development panel has granted planning permission for work at the Carlton Cinema and the Christ Church building.
Mayor of Maryport Peter Kendall said: “The three big projects in Maryport, they were costed, costs submitted and they’ve turned around and said there is no increase to take into account costs of materials.”
Councillor Kendall said he feared that without additional financial support “we aren’t going to end up with a pool as big as we thought we would.”
He added: “I know the building costs have actually gone through the roof, it isn’t just the cost of fuel which really is a shame.”
Cllr Kendall, who is also a member of Allerdale council, will raise the issue at the authority’s next meeting and has asked for the shortfall to be covered.
He added that he intended to ask the council if there was another mechanism to fund the shortfall.
He said: “We need to get swimming back into Maryport. We need to have a facility where our children and schools can go to learn to swim.”
Although it was given the go-ahead, concerns were raised at planning on Monday that the redevelopment of the Carlton could use up the funds allocated for Maryport.
However, councillors were told by the agent that significant funds were available.
