The renovation of a Grade II listed library in Liverpool is nearing completion - but the council is having to spend £600,000 more than planned on the project because of the building's poor condition.
Work to restore Lister Drive Library in Tuebrook has been ongoing since 2016 after the council secured £3.9m in National Heritage Lottery Fund money to turn it into a community hub and lease it to a charity.
Extensive progress has now been made in renovating the library but the extent of dry rot in the building has forced the council to supplement the money provided by the lottery fund.
The council's cabinet approved the extra cash for the project this week.
A report to cabinet said: "As the restoration project progressed and the work became increasingly more intrusive it was apparent that the condition of the building fabric was significantly worse than was known at pre-contract stage.
"Extensive dry and wet rot was encountered initially in the roof space but then throughout areas of the building which could not be accessed during pre- contract surveys.
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"Replacing both timberwork and plasterwork affected by wet and dry rot has been the primary cause for increased costs and delays to the contract which has resulted in the contract contingency allowance being exhausted."
The council is predicting the dry rot and poor condition of the building will add on an extra £600,000 to the cost of the renovation and the National Heritage Lottery Fund declined to provide the extra money.
The council is planning for the building to be occupied by local charity Lister Steps once the renovation is complete.
