POOLE council is set to scale back its plans to remodel four supported-living flats after underestimating the cost of the work.

Plans have been drawn-up to renovate the Christopher Crescent units after approval for the work was given in December 2017.

The council had estimated that the entire project would cost £160,000 but the cheapest quote it received for the work was for £212,000.

As a result, it can only afford to carry out the work on three of the four flats at its Pergins site before the end of this financial year.

A report by the council’s principal officer for joint commissioning, Jonathan O’Connell, says: “The estimated costs of remodelling the four flats at Christopher Crescent was £160,000.

“Unfortunately, following a formal tender by East Boro Housing Trust, the best price quoted was £212,000.

“This means that it would not be possible to fund all four flats in 2018/19.

“However, it would be possible to fund three of the four flats in 2018/19 at an estimated cost of £175,000 and then review whether to complete the final flat in 2019/20 through ongoing revenue savings.”

Despite this, he says “officers remain supportive” of the planned remodelling scheme and that work has already been started with tenants, their families and staff to prepare for the work.

A £23,000 contribution to the project’s costs has been agreed by East Boro Housing Trust due to the reduction in its maintenance costs the modernising works are expected to bring.

The remodelling is being proposed by Poole council as part of its proposals to move to a system of having only one provider for its accommodation in Christopher Crescent and at Ashmore House.

Approval for the project will now have to be given by the council’s cabinet member for health, Cllr Karen Rampton, at a meeting on Tuesday (January 22).

Cllr Rampton has been recommended to give the go-ahead for work to start.