DIG deep – the costs for the redevelopment of Boscombe seafront, including the controversial surf reef, are set to rise again.

The Boscombe Spa Village project looks likely to end up costing more than £11.3 million – a far cry from the original £8.29m estimate and an increase of almost £300,000 in the past year.

And with Boscombe’s designer surf pods proving tough to sell, the council is considering borrowing money to make up the shortfall.

A total of 43 Wayne Hemingway-designed pods are up for sale but so far, only eight have been bought. This slow start has prompted the council to reduce prices to £74,995 for a double-sized hut, £59,995 for the corners and £44,995 for the singles.

The original £8.29m price of the Boscombe scheme rose to £9.26m in June 2008 and then to £11.072m in February 2009. The cost of the surf reef alone has almost doubled from £1.359m to £2.6m.

But despite the soaring costs and persistent speculation surrounding the reef’s effectiveness, the project is being hailed a success.

A report to cabinet members claims the regeneration of Boscombe has led to a 32 per cent increase in visitor numbers, a 31 per cent increase in visitor satisfaction, a 40 per cent reduction in reported antisocial behaviour and private investment in the area of £48.8m.

More than 4,000 children from local schools, colleges, youth centres and scout groups have enjoyed surfing lessons in Boscombe and Bournemouth Surf School taught over 5,000 people in the past year.