FRESH options are being explored for new sports facilities in Malvern as plans for a hall in Priory Road edge closer to failure.

The possibility of providing funding for sports schemes at Dyson Perrins and The Chase high schools is among the new options being considered by Malvern Hills District Council.

A joint scheme with Malvern Town Football Club, which is looking to develop a new stadium, or enlisting the support of Worcestershire County Council for a joint youth and sports development in Langland have also been mooted.

The council's executive board met on Tuesday to discuss future options and the status of existing plans for a sports hall in Priory Road, attached the Splash. The meeting was initially to have been held in private, but the council opened the general discussion to public scrutiny.

The council has £1.3 million set aside for a new sports facility in Malvern, drawn from the proceeds of the sale of council houses to Elgar Housing Association.

SLM, the private company operating the Splash on behalf of the council, has also offered £500,000 towards the project but tenders for the scheme came in at £2.3 million.

Attempts to bridge the gap with a lottery bid have run into problems, with lottery officials indicating that a bid will not be successful.

The board was told that SLM, having offered £500,000 for some time, wants a decision from the council on the way ahead.

It is keen to invest in improvements to its fitness suite, an important source of revenue for the complex, and has indicated it would be interested in doing that alone, if the council cancels the sports hall project.

SLM's contract to operate the Splash expires in January and the council will also have to make a decision on renewal.

Details of alternative schemes to the sports hall have not been discussed publicly, with the exception of suggestions of joint working with Worcestershire County Council.

The proposal is supported by Priory ward councillor Roger Hall-Jones, who wrote to the board outlining his views.

He said the county should be approached with the suggestion of a sports and youth facility in the Langland area, part-funded by the sale of Malvern Youth Centre in Albert Road North. Coun Hall-Jones said the National Lottery would also be more inclined to support a youth-related project and one in Langland, targeted for support due to its "socio-economic deprivation".

Executive board members declined to make a decision on Tuesday but asked for three senior members to meet and discuss the options, ready to present recommendations to the board and then the full council, possibly at its July 3 meeting.