LONG-AWAITED plans for a new village hall and town council office in Ferndown have been thrown into jeopardy amid concerns over spiralling costs.

Original estimates for the Church Road project were put at £750,000. Now, councillors reckon it could be nearer £1m.

"The project is progressing very slowly indeed," said town council clerk Mal Derricott.

"One reason is that East Dorset District Council's architect panel has been changing the plans for the site. It appears to have a very inflated opinion of the importance of the site and this is resulting in the costs being driven up."

The building, which would be erected on the site of the existing rundown hall, would also become the new home for the town's Citizens Advice Bureau.

Hall bosses were planning to use proceeds from the sale of part of the land to the town council to fund the new building which would feature a larger hall, stage and kitchen and toilet facilities.

Councillors have also claimed that the village hall trustees committee and the clubs using the hall were reluctant to do any fund-raising.

Mrs Derricott said: "They appear to be relying on the sale of the land to the town council to cover their re-building costs and have added requirements to the project, such as a badminton court, billiards room and a concert stage with dressing rooms, which have considerably raised the overall building costs."

The town council had paid for all the costs involved in producing several revised plans and the planning application, she added.

Chairman of the village hall committee Mick Arnold admitted there were difficulties.

"It's not that we are reluctant to do any fund-raising but we are all getting on.

"I am probably the youngest at 72.

"We thought that if we sold them the land that would be the equivalent of our fund-raising, but now the costs have gone up.

"However, I am still very keen for the project to go ahead."

First published: August 16