Taxpayers may foot office cost

Building new council offices as part of the controversial Chase Leisure Village plan could incredibly cost more than £10 million, it has emerged.

Critics of the scheme claim this cost could rise to more than £13 million if the project is given the go-ahead. The idea would see new offices for Cannock Chase District Council built on top of the new leisure centre at the proposed site on Stafford Road.

In December, around 250 people took part in two consultation days on the leisure village idea which would see a new swimming pool, theatre, sports hall and council offices built on land at Cannock Park.

The total cost of the plan is expected to hit £27 million with the council offices costing £10.2 million, over a third of the total cost. These figures could change depending on which option is finally chosen.

The decision to build new offices for the council was condemned by Labour councillor Janos Toth who described it as a "disgrace."

He said: "This is an absolute abuse of council taxpayers money and I believe it will cost significantly more than £10 million, I think it will be more than £13 million. It's a pie in the sky idea."

Cabinet member, councillor Mick Grocott, who is responsible for the leisure village proposal, hit back saying the plans were not final.