THE cost of building the Turner Centre, Kent’s flagship arts centre, have spiralled to nearly £30million - around four times the original costs, it has emerged.

It has also been revealed that the centre, being built alongside the stone pier at Margate, is now expected to open in the first six months of 2008, four years later than first forecast.

And in a further blow, Kent County Council says it is still around £9.8million short of what it needs to build the distinctive gallery, which will be partly bedded in the sea.

Despite the £4.5million increase in costs, KCC remained defiantly upbeat about the scheme this week. Council chiefs insisted their efforts to secure more sponsorship from wealthy private donors will help bridge the gap.

However, they conceded KCC could still be left with a bill for £20million if those sponsors do not come forward to supplement the £4.1million that has already been pledged by the Arts Council and a further £4million from SEEDA - the South East England Development Agency.

However, the news of the spiralling costs and setback in opening is bound to spark concern the centre could prove a financial burden on the council taxpayer.

In a report, Kent County Council says costs rose because a bouyant construction market, led to fewer companies bidding for the contract to build the centre, which has been designed by Norwegian architects Snohetta and Spence.

The report, presented to KCC’s Conservative cabinet on Monday, also says rising steel prices and protracted wrangles over the constuction contract with Edmund Nuttall have helped push up costs.

Council chiefs remain bullish about the scheme’s future and its potential economic impact on the town.

Cllr Mike Hill (Con) KCC’s cabinet member for community services, said: “We were in a weaker position because of the sheer amount of work available in the construction market. This project has already generated a noticeable impact in the area, in terms of property prices and the wider public recognition,” he said.

But local Margate county councillor Clive Hart said KCC should rethink the scheme. He Stressed: “I am keen for it to be built because it will help regenerate the area but these spiralling costs are causing concern for many residents. Even at this stage, it might prove more feasible to build it on dry land rather than half in the sea.”

The vision for the arts centre was first set out in 2001. Named after the landscape master Joseph Mallord William Turner, who spent part of his life in the area, it will feature three galleries.