THE leader of a borough has condemned Lancashire County Council over costs rises to a major town centre regeneration.

Mark Townsend, Burnley’s political boss, is furious the price of the project has increased from £3million to £3.95 m.

He is even angrier County Hall chiefs, who manage the project, now want to land £325,000 of the extra bill on borough ratepayers.

This would add six per cent onto the council tax next year, £11.32 for each occupier of the Band A terraced homes which make up most of its housing stock.

Cllr Townsend has demanded an investigation into the cost overrun, branding the 30 per cent rise in the budget as ‘financial incompetence’.

The scheme will give the whole of Burnley town centre a makeover, refurbishing the pedestrianised section of St James’s Street and Hammerton Street, resurfacing worn-out paving and replacing older benches and planters.

An item before the county council’s Cabinet next week asks Burnley council to find £325,000 of the overspend, warning if it refuses the Parker Lane element of the scheme be dropped and other ‘enhancements’ scaled back.

Cllr Townsend said: “Burnley residents are being asked to pay the price for LCC financial incompetence.

“The Burnley Council additional contribution being asked for equates to six per cent on council tax bills.

“Allowing a 30 per cent cost over run on the original budget is incompetence and an investigation is needed to get to the bottom of how it happened, when this was first known about and why Burnley Council were not informed before it was to late to do anything.

“We are being asked to choose between compromising on the quality of the scheme or come up with the money.”

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: “The forecast cost of the scheme has increased for a number of reasons, due to changes to the original scope and design, extra work being needed due to unexpectedly difficult ground conditions, issues identified as the scheme progressed, and increases in the cost of materials.

“We have discussed options to contain the overall cost of the scheme, however Burnley Borough Council’s preferred option is to deliver the scheme as currently planned.

“We recognise the importance of this once-in-a-generation investment to Burnley town centre.”

The spokesman added: “The county council’s cabinet is being asked to consider a further £325,000 contribution subject to an equal contribution being made by Burnley Borough Council.”