The costs of the ambitious city centre Paradise development have increased by £100m according to reports.

The Municipal Journal stated the costs of the of project, last thought to be around £700m, have spiralled.

It comes within a few weeks of Birmingham City Council passing over management responsibility for the scheme to the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP).

The move was to ensure a more 'efficient and effective use of monitoring and governance resources'.

The Paradise project in Birmingham city centre, construction work pictured in May 2018.

Both parties confirmed more funding had been sought.

A joint statement said: "With regard to the Paradise project, the LEP Board have received a request for further investment in the project.

"This is currently under consideration and a decision is expected later in the autumn once due diligence has been completed."

The 1.8m square foot Paradise development is set to deliver offices, bars, cafes, restaurants and a four-star 250-bedroom hotel on land between Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and Centenary Square.

The Paradise project in Birmingham city centre, construction work pictured in May 2018.

Developers hail it as the most 'important' city centre development outside of London.

The official website for the project states: "Paradise will be one of the biggest development schemes Birmingham has seen for a generation and will dramatically transform this whole area of the city."