Herefordshire Council has confirmed that two of its major heritage schemes, the refurbishment of the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery on Broad Street and the redevelopment of Shire Hall, will now be trimmed back after updated costings showed both projects have become significantly more expensive than first planned.

Senior officers say they remain committed to safeguarding what they describe as important local heritage but can no longer proceed with the original designs.

For the museum, the idea of adding an extra floor and rooftop terraces has been dropped after estimates showed this element alone could push the scheme up by around £14.5 million beyond its initial £20.5 million budget.

Work will instead focus on restoring and improving the Grade II listed building within the £20.8 million already allocated, including £8.4 million from the council, though the revised design is still expected to come in at roughly £24.4 million, meaning further funding will be sought.

A fresh design is due to be commissioned next month, with six to eight months of planning before construction begins next summer.

Over at Shire Hall in St Peter's Square, also Grade II listed, the planned renovation has overshot its £8.5 million budget, so the library and learning centre will now be based in the former courtroom two and nearby rooms, creating a more affordable first phase while leaving scope for future additions.

The council still intends to invest £8.5 million in essential structural work to stabilise the early‑19th‑century building and says that with extra funding the Assembly Room could be brought back into use for public events and exhibitions.

A redesigned plan for Shire Hall is expected by next March, with building work beginning next summer alongside the museum project.