Delays to work on a £3.5 million business park expected to create hundreds of jobs in north Shropshire could leave taxpayers facing a £100,000 overspend bill, it emerged today.

Shropshire Council’s Tern Valley Business Park in Market Drayton was completed this year but Shirehall is facing an overspend on the project and could take action against contractors to recoup the extra money.

The park, beside the Muller dairy in Market Drayton, was hailed as a shot in the arm for the economy.

But now it has emerged the Shirehall is facing a dispute with contractors over who should foot the bill for increased costs sparked by delays on the building work.

A report to the ruling cabinet this week states the building project on phase two of the park exceeded its £137,618 budget.

The report says a ‘potential contractor claim for delays’ would ‘push the project over by £100,000 after contingency’. It adds the claim is being investigated.

Officials today confirmed the council is considering what action to take.

Mark Pembleton, service manager for business and enterprise, said: “We are currently considering pursuing a claim to recoup additional costs as a result of delays to the project.”

Shropshire Council began marketing plots at the park this year, after construction began in late 2009.

The 13.5-acre site on the edge of town close to the A53 boasts development plots for office, light industry, general industry, storage and distribution uses.

Shirehall bosses said companies were eyeing up moves to the site and interest from the business community had been strong.

Previous estimates in council reports suggest the park could sustain about 250 jobs if fully occupied.

The old Shropshire County Council agreed to the development, which had backing from Advantage West Midlands, in 2008.

The project was seen as a way of creating jobs and safeguarding employment by attracting businesses to the area and also providing the infrastructure for established companies to expand.