FEARS over “spiralling costs” of a state-of-the-art sports facility in Hagley have been played down. 

Hagley Parish Council first announced plans to replace the dilapidated changing rooms on the Hagley Playing Fields last year.

Work began this September, but villagers claim the original cost has steadily increased from £174,000 with a £50,000 council contribution.

The cost is now £315,000 with a £160,000 council contribution, leading to concerns there will not be enough council reserves to build a Scout Hut and Community Centre.

Villager Peter Rowbottom said: “Both the Scout Hut and Community Centre combined require tens of thousands if not in excess of £100,000 from the parish council's reserves.

“Villagers are now seriously concerned that at least the community centre project may now be in doubt.”

Another, Jason Adderley, added: “The council is spending more than three times its initial estimate of its own reserves.

“The implications for the future funding of other much needed developments couldn't be clearer."

Hagley Parish Council said previous cost estimates were around £270,000, and also played down implications on other developments.

Steve Colella, district councillor and chairman of Hagley Parish Council, added: “Early feasibility estimates had to be obtained to meet grant funding application requirements.

“Since then contracts have been tendered and during the summer the council and its project advisors sat down and worked out a much more accurate assessment of the likely costs.

“The council recognises that there are a number of other community projects currently underway and it is on record supporting any project that brings betterment to community amenity."

Councillor Mark Fenton, a member of the council project team, added: “Our cost consultants ran a benchmark construction cost for the Pavilion project which concluded that it should be costing us over £600,000.

“Due to the council adopting a number of procurement and other efficiencies we will be delivering the Pavilion for half that amount, which represents great value for taxpayers.”

The council said the work will transform the site from a “crumbling eye sore” to a “valuable source of income for future upkeep of other village infrastructure”.

The project will also provide modern changing rooms for West Hagley Football Club, allowing them to meet the required standards insisted upon by Worcestershire FA.

Club chairman John Malanaphy said: “The club is excited at the prospect of new facilities which will be ready for the 2018/19 season.

“Without a changing room facility that meets FA standards the club would not have been able to participate in the local leagues and would have surely folded.”