A council report into the delayed £8.3 millon Voreda House project has itself been delayed, the Herald can reveal.
Last November, the council revealed an internal audit review had started which was expected to be wrapped up by January.
But this week, a council spokesperson confirmed the review had not yet been finalised, although stopped short of saying when it might be.
“Information is still being gathered to ensure the internal review takes into account all the relevant facts,” the council said in a short statement.
“In the meantime, construction at Voreda House is progressing well and is on track for the revised timetable of spring 2024 completion.”
The costs of the net-zero carbon council HQ at Portland Place have doubled from £4.1m to £8.3m in two years.
The rising costs have been blamed on issues such as “construction inflation” among others, and its timetable for opening has previously overrun.
The ‘single site’ project started life under the former Conservative-run Eden District Council.
As Voreda House emerged, its innovative, energy saving features were strongly supported by the authority’s ruling rainbow alliance of Liberal Democrat, Labour and Greens.
The legacy project was then inherited by the incoming Liberal Democrats, which won control of the new Westmorland and Furness Council.
Ceremonial sod cutting took place at Voreda House on March 24 2022 with hopes then that it might open in December 2022.
One set back was the discovery of asbestos at the former NHS building and tax office, with an opening date of March 2023 also being missed.
Online critics have pointed out that it only took one year and 25 days to build the 102-storey Empire State Building nearly a century ago.
The super insulated property, built to rigorous energy slashing Passivhaus standards, means it will require very little heating or cooling.
Supporters have also said that the bill has to be measured against the long-term savings that will follow on utility bills.
The building on Portland Place will eventually feature a variety of climbing plants and a living wall.
But some members of the public who have commented online do not like what they have seen so far.
Its harshest critics have variously branded it as an eyesore, expensive Lego, a monstrous waste of taxpayers’ money, a sore thumb, and like something out of Minecraft.
Westmorland and Furness Council has told the Herald that the project bill of £8.3m has not changed and the deadline for the handover remains the same.
