West Norfolk Council (WNC) is set to commit to borrowing £16m to help fund the regeneration of King's Lynn's Guildhall theatre, which has seen its price tag balloon to £30.5m.

But sceptics worry this will mean the authority will face interest payments of about £800,000 a year.

Councillor Alun Ryves (Image: Alun Ryves)

At a regeneration and development meeting this week, Alun Ryves, an independent councillor for Methwold, said: "We would love to have a legacy of delivering a vibrant Guildhall that becomes a central part of King's Lynn.

"But I have an awful fear our legacy would be that we end up with a very large amount of debt."

St George's Guildhall in King's Lynn (Image: Denise Bradley)

The project was initially expected to cost £12m and was due to be supported by £9m in funds from the Town Deal Board.

Consultants, including architects, have already cost £2.6m.

But rising construction costs, additional expenses due to medieval architectural discoveries and a growing ambition for the scheme have meant the overall price tag has more than doubled.

Officers........

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