CONTROVERSIAL plans to sell part of a church hall in Droitwich may have taken a step forward, according to a church leader.

The news that the trustees for the Emmanuel Church and Community Centre were thinking about selling one of their halls, off Blake Avenue, Chawson, to developers, caused an outcry in September.

Residents were concerned the plan could lead to some of the open space next to the church hall being turned into housing.

However, at a meeting of the Chawson Community Association Reverend Rob Swallow said: "After Christmas we had an offer to purchase part of the hall and we are still considering that at the moment.

"It's not our intention to move off the estate in the near future and we hope to bring plans that are sympathetic to the area forward as soon as possible."

The trustees have been involved in on-off discussions with Wychavon District Council for seven years about developing the hall and surrounding land, which belongs to the council, to provide outdoor football pitches, two-storey homes, a nursery and advice centre.

However, Rev Swallow had previously said plans were taking too long and the buildings had become rundown.

He reassured residents that rumours there were plans for a six-storey block of flats on the site were completely untrue.

He added: "It's unlikely the church will bring forward a big scheme again."