Work to finish a £2.5m community centre near Norwich is "back on track" after a row over funding for the project between two councils.

Easton Parish Council is "making great progress" on the multi-million-pound building after securing £500,000 from the Public Works Loan Board. 

Norwich Evening News: The project has been hit with a series of delaysThe project has been hit with a series of delays (Image: Easton Parish Council)

It comes after a high-profile war of words with South Norfolk Council (SNC).

The parish council's vice chairman, Peter Milliken, blasted SNC after district council bosses rejected its application for £500,000 of funding - a decision Mr Milliken said put the scheme "in serious jeopardy".

It came after a series of delays and soaring inflation pushed the cost of the building up from £1.5m to more than £2.5m.

Norwich Evening News: Vice chairman of Easton Parish Council, Peter MillikenVice chairman of Easton Parish Council, Peter Milliken (Image: Newsquest)

But now the future of the community centre appears to have been secured. 

Mr Milliken said: “We’re extremely pleased that after more than three months of delays, we’ve now received the £500,000 from the Public Works Loan Board, and we’re also grateful for the grant from the Greater Norwich Growth Board.

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"Despite encountering several delays, we’re now back on track and making excellent progress.

"We’re exploring the option of adding a delivery and pick-up point, which is a new addition to the already fantastic services that the new centre will have.

Norwich Evening News: Building costs have been pushed up by delays and soaring inflationBuilding costs have been pushed up by delays and soaring inflation (Image: Easton Parish Council)

"Furthermore, we’ll soon start recruitment for staff members and we’re looking forward to opening its doors for the public to visit and enjoy.”

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It is understood the loan will have no impact on the current council tax precept in the area. 

Instead, the parish council intends to repay the loan through the "continued receipts from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which results in a zero direct cost to the community via the precept".

CIL payments are paid by housebuilders as part of planning agreements, with plans for hundreds of new homes in the village both proposed and already built.