PLANS to refurbish the facade of the Malvern Splash were approved by councillors this week.

At the meeting of the Malvern Hills District Council’s Southern Area Planning Committee, councillors discussed an application for replacement of curtain walling including refurbishment of the existing draft lobby and all external exposed steelwork at the Splash, including changing the colour from red to grey.

The choice of colour was questioned by Cllr Beverley Nielsen, who said: “This will be a great improvement, but can we see a visualisation of the colour?”

Other councillors agreed with this, saying the multi-million pound refurb of the complex was much needed, and supported the application.

Agreed between Malvern Hills District Council and Freedom Leisure, the Malvern Splash is being refurbished and is set to open again in 2021.

Improvements include a full refurbishment of the swimming pool changing rooms and toilets and dedicated changing facilities for people with disabilities.

As a result of the works, Priory Road North car park will also be unavailable to the public until the refurbishment is completed in early January 2021 as it will accommodate the LST Projects site compound.

Priory Road South car park will remain open as normal.