Castle renovation work costs soar to £27.5m

A major project to restore parts of a 900-year-old castle is facing a huge increase in costs as it nears completion.

The Royal Palace Reborn scheme at Norwich Castle, initially expected to cost about £18m, has risen to £27.5m.

Norfolk County Council has proposed allocating further funds to support the revamp.

Work on the castle's Grade I-listed keep began in 2020 and, following delays, is expected to open to the public from next spring.

According to a report to cabinet members, the project has faced several significant challenges during construction, including a leaking roof and the unexpected discovery of hidden Norman and Victorian features.

The report also cites the impact of the Covid pandemic and difficulties obtaining steel due to the war in Ukraine.

NCC has proposed providing an extra £4.7m to the project, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

It plans to use money already budgeted for growth, investment and highways projects.

This includes redirecting £2.75m originally intended to support the development of an energy park in Great Yarmouth.

The remaining £1.99m will be removed from future highways projects, which the council says means some schemes "may need to be deferred".

Conservative councillor and deputy council leader Andrew Jamieson said: "We expect this project's impact to go far beyond the walls of the keep.

"The reborn castle will draw in visitors from around the world, bolstering the reputation of Norfolk's culture and heritage for decades to come."

The majority of the funding for the project has come from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and NCC along with other national and local grants, and public donations.

Cabinet members will be asked to approve the £4.7m increase to the budget on 4 November.

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