Kent County Council is pursuing legal action against the architects responsible for the original design of Margate's Turner Contemporary Gallery, whose estimated costs escalated from £7m to £48m.
A spokeswoman for the council said papers had been served on architects Snohetta and Spence. The council is suing for £6m of the £7.5m it spent on the plans, which were shelved in 2006.
"We felt they were liable and [the costs] should not have gone as far as they did," the council spokeswoman said. "This was public money and a public building. We couldn't continue to spend money." She added that the council would be prepared to go to court to settle.
David Chipperfield Architects was appointed last year to deliver the project.
A spokeswoman for the council said papers had been served on architects Snohetta and Spence. The council is suing for £6m of the £7.5m it spent on the plans, which were shelved in 2006.
"We felt they were liable and [the costs] should not have gone as far as they did," the council spokeswoman said. "This was public money and a public building. We couldn't continue to spend money." She added that the council would be prepared to go to court to settle.
David Chipperfield Architects was appointed last year to deliver the project.
