BOURNEMOUTH'S much-publicised surf reef will end up costing double the amount first thought, it has been revealed.
The original estimate of £1.35 million to create Europe's first artificial reef has doubled to £2.68m.
And councillors are being told they have no choice but to spend an extra £974,000 on the project - money that was to fund further improvements to Boscombe.
The overspend is being largely blamed on spiralling construction costs, which are £700,000 over budget, and delays to the scheme.
But as well as these increased costs, the council has also agreed to pay extra for a higher specification reef to try and maximise surfing opportunities.
The extra money also guarantees the reef's completion this year and has paid for a performance-related clause that will ensure the council is compensated if the reef does not work.
Cllr Nick King, cabinet member for communications, said: "You only have to look at the international media coverage this has already attracted to see the benefits the reef will bring to Boscombe.
"It has the potential to be a real catalyst for change and to attract business and development to Boscombe that will in turn generate further funding for the area.
"To make sure that it's something that is going to work and to ensure that there is an insurance policy in there for the people of Bournemouth, it's worth spending this additional money. We believe this is the right thing to do."
But Parry Brooks, of Boscombe Cliffs Residents' Association, said: "The fact that it's costing another million pounds means another million pounds is not being spent somewhere else." He said residents warned council officers that obtaining the necessary permissions for the reef could take two-and-a-half years but these concerns were dismissed by council officers.
As part of the £9.66m deal with Honeycombe Chine developers Barratt Homes, the council expected to have £300,000 spare for further Boscombe improvements. This money is now going to plug the gap in the surf reef funding.
To make up the rest of the shortfall, the council is banking on Barratts selling enough flats at Honeycombe Chine to trigger a sales-related payment of up to £750,000.
