THE cost of building the new Turner Centre has risen by £2.4million to £17.4million, it has emerged.

Kent County Council is confident the price for the new "on-shore" gallery on Margate seafront will not go up any further but admitted it had abandoned hope of imposing a £15million ceiling on the costs.

One of the reasons for the increase is the discovery that the new site could be vulnerable to sea flooding, meaning that additional protection will be needed.

Cllr Mike Hill (Con), KCC's cabinet member for communities, said: "The £15million was an estimate made when we did not even have architects appointed.

"When they were appointed, we ended up with extras relating specifically to the condition of the site and the need to make it 'fit for purpose'. There is an inherent risk of the sea over-topping the sea wall which is minimal but nevertheless means the building requires protection."

The initial commitment to pay no more than £15million also excluded the costs of fixtures and fittings.

Thanet council Labour group leader Cllr Richard Nicholson said: "Twelve months ago Kent County Council representatives stood at a public meeting at Margate Winter Gardens and pledged that the revamped Turner Centre would never break its £15million cap and would be built to open during 2009 at the very latest.

"They have failed the residents and business people of Thanet who have invested heavily on the back of the Turner scheme.

"This latest hike is a 15 per cent rise in costs and I am very uneasy about where this project is heading."

The county council's architects David Chipperfield are preparing to set out their ideas for developing the former car park.

A meeting on February 15 will outline progress. It is understood the new gallery is likely to be a four-storey building with two ramps forming a single entrance.

The initial plan for the Turner centre on the pier was scrapped last February after costs nearly doubled to £40million. About £7million of public money was spent and KCC has confirmed it is considering legal action to recover some of its outlay.