FEARS have been raised about how funding for a council’s redevelopment of a Hampshire leisure centre will be met.

Tory councillor Margaret Atkinson has called for all members to have a chance to scrutinise the project amid fears the costs to rebuild Eastleigh's Fleming Park will spiral.

She wants members of Eastleigh Borough Council to consider delaying a final decision on the go-ahead for for the leisure centre so all members can vote on it due to the costs involved.

But her request was overwhelmingly rejected by the majority Liberal Democrat councillors who said this would set the project back, increase costs and even jeopardise funding.

Current estimates for the project are around £24m, but the council says it cannot guarantee that the final agreed total will not be higher.

Speaking at full council Cllr Atkinson said, where millions of pounds was being spent, all councillors should be involved.

She said she understood the council would use £4m from its New Homes Bonus, a £2m grant from Sport England, if approved, and was proposing borrowing around £20m towards it.

Cllr Atkinson asked what would happen if costs went up and where extra funds would come from.

As reported, the new centre, to be built close to the old facility, in Passfield Avenue, will include an eight lane swimming pool, larger learner pool with a moveable floor, a 15-court sports hall, larger gym and children’s soft play area.

Plans were approved by the Eastleigh Local Area Committee, a council sub-committee, back in June and work is due to start in January.

Cabinet members will hold a meeting to give the final go-ahead on December 16 following a scrutiny committee meeting looking at the redevelopment.

Cllr Atkinson called for a full council meeting in January as had been the case with the new Hilton Ageas Bowl hotel which was underpinned by council funding and bought for £27.4m.

She said she was also disturbed to find how little time the scrutiny panel would have to give recommendations.

She said she supported redevelopment in principle “but only if we can afford it in times of austerity”, pointing out that the council must cut its budget by £4.7m over five years.

“We can’t afford to make the wrong decision,” she added.

Conservative councillors Godfrey Olson and Jerry Hall backed Cllr Atkinson, but a number of Lib Dems were opposed, saying delays would risk increased costs.

They argued the scrutiny committee was capable of examining the plans and that any delay would risk increased costs as prices tended to be re-assessed at the beginning of a new year and tenders would have to be re-submitted.

Leisure cabinet member Cllr Alan Broadhurst said: “We have to show confidence to Sport England because we’re expecting to hear about that grant application - they have to be confident we have the will to proceed.

“It’s something we simply can’t afford to do.”

Council leader Keith House, who also urged members to reject Cllr Atkinson’s motion, said it was “simply not needed and not helpful”.