An extraordinary row between a parish and district council has cast doubt over a £2.5m community centre on the edge of Norwich.

Easton Parish Council has claimed the project - which is due to be completed next spring - could be "in serious jeopardy" after officers at South Norfolk Council (SNC) recommended its application for £500,000 of funding be rejected. 

Norwich Evening News: A great deal of progress has been made on the community centreA great deal of progress has been made on the community centre (Image: Patrick May KMC Consulting Ltd)

The parish council intends to use SNC's Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF), a scheme set up to help parish and town councils develop projects prior to receiving Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments from housing developers.

However, officers have recommended the application be rejected as some phases of development in the area forecast to generate CIL payments are yet to receive full planning permission.

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A letter from the authority's vice chairman, Peter Milliken, states: "Easton Parish Council strongly asserts that this recommendation is flawed and would urge members to study the report which contains a number of contradictions and inaccuracies."

Norwich Evening News: Easton Parish Council vice chairman, Peter MillikenEaston Parish Council vice chairman, Peter Milliken (Image: Newsquest)

The parish council claims SNC officers have made errors regarding concerns over the loan's repayment - with a report ahead of a meeting on Monday claiming it is "uncertain" as to whether the loan could be paid back within a 10-year period. 

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"The payments will, in fact, be made within a seven-year period, not nine as stated in the officers’ report or in excess of 10, which is also stated and is the reason given for the recommendation to refuse," claimed Mr Milliken.

"Aside from the fact that rejection of our application for funds will put this project, which is designed to serve the growing community at Easton, in serious jeopardy, we respectfully ask cabinet to make their decisions based upon correct, rather than inaccurate, information."

Despite this, it is understood the issue will still be discussed on Monday.