COUNCIL chiefs insist ambitious plans for Ashford’s Discovery Centre, a multi-purpose community complex, remain on course after concerns were raised about a possible funding shortfall.

Kent County Council, which is spearheading the drive to build the centre, says it is confident it will secure a further £6.5million it needs from the private sector and other sources.

The Government has already agreed funding to the tune of £3.5million and land south of Elwick Road has been identified as the site for a centre that will eventually house the town’s library, registry office, health and social care and advice services.

However, newly-elected Ashford county councillor George Koowaree (Lib Dem) has queried whether council taxpayers could end up footing the bill if the extra £6.5million is not found.

At the county council's annual meeting, he tabled a question asking to know what the impact could be on taxpayers if funding for the project could not be found and how confident KCC was it would get the extra cash.

Cllr Sarah Hohler (Con), KCC’s cabinet member for regeneration, said she did not expect there to be any “additional burden” for taxpayers. “I am confident that the money will be forthcoming and the Discovery Centre will be built,” she stressed.

The £6.5million would come from “a combination of bids to other funding sources and possible capital receipts and from private sector developer contributions,” she added.

Six architects have been shortlisted to draw up a design for the building and the successful practice will be announced at the end of June.