A revamp of a Norwich park could have to be scaled back because ministers took so long to award millions of pounds that the money will no longer pay for everything which was planned.

The government has awarded £7.5m from its flagship levelling up fund for changes to Sloughbottom Park - but council bosses said inflation meant the cash would not be enough to do everything originally hoped.

Eastern Daily Press: The pavilion at Sloughbottom ParkThe pavilion at Sloughbottom Park (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Norwich City Council originally submitted a bid for £9.2m to give the Mile Cross park a facelift in 2020, but the project was denied money previously and only received confirmation last month.

The plans included adapting the existing pavilion to make it into a multi-purpose community facility, a new 3G football pitch, changing facilities, an improved play park, an upgraded BMX track and upgrades to the Dolphin path, which runs through the Mile Cross area.

Eastern Daily Press: The plans would see an upgrade to the BMX track at Sloughbottom ParkThe plans would see an upgrade to the BMX track at Sloughbottom Park (Image: Antony Kelly)

But Graham Nelson, City Hall's executive director of development and city services, said the council had "given up" on getting the money before the recent announcement.

He said: "We are now going through the process to confirm what we can deliver, because, clearly, what you could deliver for £9.2m in the summer of 2020, you can't quite deliver the extent of that for the same level of money in 2024, which is when we will be able to get on-site to do that.

"If absolutely necessary, we will be able to scale back on some of the individual aspects of it."

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However, Mr Nelson said the council has asked for more money from the government.

He said: "As part of the government's approval process, they've indicated to us that they are open to the prospect of increasing the level of money that comes into it if we can make a case, because they are aware of the inflationary pressures.

"We will be seeking that improvement from the £7.5m already awarded to make sure we can deliver the full extent of what we had previously bid for."

The Greater Norwich Growth Board, made up of Norfolk, Norwich, Broadland and South Norfolk Council, has agreed to put in a further £850,000.

Eastern Daily Press: Kay Mason Billig, leader of Norfolk County CouncilKay Mason Billig, leader of Norfolk County Council (Image: Norfolk County Council)

Kay Mason Billig, leader of Norfolk County Council, said: "We have a very good track record of delivering on projects, so there's no reason why they shouldn't give money to Norfolk.

"This regeneration project certainly ticks all the boxes as far as I'm concerned."