Construction of the Curve theatre in Leicester, which opened in 2008, cost local residents nearly eight times more than had been originally budgeted by the local authority.

A summary of proposed expenditure on the project in 2000 earmarked £26m for the new build, but amendments to the design and increasing construction costs resulted in a final £60.3m price tag.

Leicester City Council's (LCC) original contribution of £4.4m spiralled to almost £35m by the end of the build., while a grant from Arts Council England worth £4.6m in 2003 had to be increased to £13m in 2008 in order to offset the financial implications.

Cllr Andy Connelly, LCC spokesman for culture, told the BBC: "In the long term this will represent value for money. It is a stunning building, there is nothing else like it in the world and it has acted as a magnet for other investment in the city.

"It is a lot of money, I can't deny that, but Curve is a big part of the jigsaw for the regeneration of Leicester."

The new arts facility replaced the ageing Haymarket theatre, providing residents with two auditoriums, seating 750 and 350 theatre-goers respectively.