THE cost of a pleasure marina to be built at Sutton Bridge this year has shot up by £85,000 to £915,000.
But far less money than originally planned will be ploughed in to the project from Section 106 power station money held in a fund to boost wide-ranging projects in the village.
Earlier this year Sutton Bridge Parish Council objected to South Holland District Council giving £400,000 from the fund to the county council, which is spearheading the marina project.
The Section 106 contribution has now been trimmed back to £267,000 – and a refund has been given so other village projects can benefit.
The rest of the marina costs will be met by £273,000 from the county council and £375,000 from the Rural Development Programme for England.
Work on the marina, which will include 80 moorings, is due to start next month and be wrapped up by the end of the year.
Lincolnshire County Council says the marina will bring a massive economic boost to Sutton Bridge and its head of enterprise, Justin Brown, has said the benefit could be as much as £200,000 a year.
Mr Brown told the Spalding Guardian: “The new marina will attract thousands of visitors to the area. This will mean more money for local businesses, both creating and protecting jobs.
“The project is also likely to kick-start further investment and regeneration in the area, meaning the benefits aren’t just limited to the tourist season.”
Sutton Bridge district and parish councillor Michael Booth is glad Section 106 money has been refunded because he didn’t want the lion’s share swallowed up by the marina.
The parish council last week backed a £100,000 donation from the fund for another major tourist attraction in the village at the Sir Peter Scott lighthouse.
Coun Booth supports the marina – and hopes it will bring the promised economic benefits to Sutton Bridge – but the says the project must include sufficient parking to avoid disruption to the port and West Bank transport firm Roffes.