MALVERN Hills District Council will formally consider alternative proposals for sought-after playing fields in Malvern.

The council had been looking at handing a 25-year lease of Sling Lane playing fields to Newtown Sports Junior Football Club but a band of neighbouring residents fear it will be lost as a community asset.

They have submitted a counter proposal to MHDC which involves the land being signed over to them under a similar ‘community lease’. The council’s executive committee has now invited the residents’ association and Malvern Town Council - which wants to use the site for allotments - to present their proposals.

Members of the public and the football club met councillors at a consultation event in Priory Lodge Hall, Malvern, on Monday evening (September 6).

John Denham, chairman of the Heart of Malvern Association, spoke to deputy leader of the council, Ralph Madden, about the proposals.

He said: “We think there should be a community lease as opposed to a lease for one football club. The difference is you would have a much more representative body running it. I actually see that as a win-win situation for everybody.”

Chairman of Newtown Sports, Danny Wren, insisted his club’s proposal would safeguard the land for the benefit of the community.

He dismissed accusations that the lease would result in the playing fields being fenced off or flood lights being installed. “The only reason we need a lease is to attract funding. The FA would not give us funding without it.” Mr Wren, who lives in neighbouring Greenhill Drive himself, said he would be happy to work with residents to alleviate their concerns.

MHDC said the land would be formally advertised in the Malvern Gazette on Friday, September 10, and Friday, September 17 to comply with statutory requirements as part of the consultation process but that no final decision had been made.

Lee Robson, head of community and economic development, said the council’s overall aim was to ensure the playing fields saw infrastructure improvements, including adequate changing provision for both winter and summer sports.

A report will now be submitted to full council on Tuesday, December 7 - not this month as originally planned.