Flintshire Council has been asked to 'critically examine' the estimated £30m cost of redeveloping Theatr Clwyd before it can be given the green light.

The council’s cabinet has been recommended to approve putting £330,000 towards detailed design and development work to take place on the Mold-based theatre at its meeting next week.

Its preferred scheme would deliver an estimated £30m redevelopment, including refurbishment and plans to improve the experience of customers and community members.

However, the project is reliant on an estimated £22m funding from Welsh Government, without which it will not be able to go ahead.

And while voicing its support for the scheme, a government official has written to the authority asking it to scrutinise the costs to avoid an over-reliance on central funding, citing a ‘difficult financial climate’.

In a letter dated June 6, head of arts policy Peter Owen, also asked the council to address concerns over parking provisions at the theatre He said:  “The Welsh Government shares the confidence of the Arts Council of Wales that Theatr Clwyd performs highly in meeting its artistic and business objectives under a renewed operating model and business plan, and under a new executive leadership.

“A capital redevelopment of this scale is a very significant undertaking. It is essential that decisions for potential government funding are based on rigorous feasibility studies.

“Therefore, we would encourage Flintshire County Council, working closely with Arts Council of Wales to progress to the next stage of the project beyond feasibility and into design and development detail study.

“We would still encourage the theatre and the council to critically examine the cost base of the project through options and choices on value engineering, and to creatively explore the options for commercialisation and supported borrowing.

“We would also encourage you to ensure that the project adresses concerns raised during the recent consultation, for example the adequacy of the car parking arrangements.”

Theatr Clwyd is the largest producing house theatre in Wales and receives one of the largest annual revenue awards from the Arts Council of Wales.

The Arts Council has already shown strong support for the project and has allocated a sum of more than £1m for the initial work, along with £5m earmarked in its capital planning budget.

Flintshire Council has offered to provide match funding for the design work within its own capital programme , subject to confirmation from Welsh Government about its contribution.

Cllr Derek Butler, Flintshire County Council’s cabinet member for economic development, said it would represent an ‘extremely important investment’.

He said: “Its five performance venues as well as its shop, restaurant and art galleries welcome a large number of visitors each year – benefitting the economy of Flintshire.

“This investment is greatly needed to further develop and modernise this iconic building and cultural destination and to improve the commerciality of the theatre and increase access for the local community.”