PROTESTERS greeted councillors arriving for a meeting in Rossendale amid fears that plans to build a new swimming pool in Haslingden are about to be scrapped.

Plans for a new £3.2m pool at the sports centre have been put on hold by the council because of fears over the cost of the £5.6m transformation of the leisure facilities at both Marl Pits in Rawtenstall and Haslingden.

Around 20 protesters, some carrying banners, used the public questions section of the full council meeting last night to seek assurances that the previously-approved plans to replacing the original 1930s facilities would be carried out.

The Labour administration, which took control in May, has asked for time to consider its leisure spending options.

It could use the money to bid to buy the Valley Centre in Rawtenstall from owners Ashcap instead.

A motion was put forward last night by councillor Jason Gledhill, the former Conservative portfolio holder for leisure, He urged the “immediate implementation of the building of a new pool at Haslingden”.

The motion was defeated by a margin of 19-13 and a Labour amendment, deferring any decision until the end of August was passed by the same margin.

Coun Alyson Barnes, leader of Rossendale Council, said: “What we have asked for is a period of reflection as we are a new controlling group.

“We have to think very long and very hard about what our priorities are.”