THE Dolphin Centre has been saved from demolition - but only for another month.

In a dramatic full council meeting at Bromsgrove District Council on Wednesday night, the council deferred cabinet's recommendation to knock down the Dolphin Centre and build a car park.

Some councillors also claimed Bromsgrove could still have its own sports hall, provided someone takes over the full running of the Dolphin Centre.

The fiery meeting opened with councillors being informed of a nomination for the sports hall to be considered for listing as an asset of community value.

The council said such a nomination would not impact the recommendation to demolish the Dolphin Centre.

But comments made by North Bromsgrove High School in regards to the availability of using their sports hall did make an impact.

The council was read a statement from North Bromsgrove High School's governors saying they were "staggered" to hear reports they had reduced the availability of their sports hall, as they had been "clear" on their requirements throughout and that "all parties" were aware of the need to hold examinations.

Cllr Michael Thompson said: "This contradicts what we have been told in this chamber.

"We are about to bulldoze a sports hall based on someone telling an untruth."

Cllr Thompson urged the council to approach the governors to explain this.

And cllr Bloore went one further, asking why the council could not approach other groups to see if they could not take over the running of the Dolphin Centre.

He said: "From the start this council has said we can't afford it. From the second this council has said we don't need it.

"Other community groups are prepared to take this building on to keep this community asset.

"The question is, is it about use or is it about money. If it's about money and you say you can't afford it then you should hear this community asset application.

"If it's about money they why haven't we gone to other organisations about giving it away?

"If it's about money, surely we should be looking at every option to keep this building open, even if it means gifting it to somebody else."

And the idea received backing from Labour and Independent councillors.

Cllr Peter McDonald said: "If you care about Bromsgrove, you should take this with open hands."

Cllr Sue Baxter said: "It is an option we should be looking at. What have we got to lose?"

Cllr Charles Hotham added: "It will save us at least £600,000 in demolition costs. It is a brilliant idea."

Cllr Hotham added further fuel to the fire by questioning figures produced in MACE's Sports Hall Options Appraisal.

A section stated the "net revenue" of the sports hall would see four playing courts bring in £20,000 revenue per year each - totalling £80,000 in revenue.

But the figure wasn't included in the final revenue stream, with an increase in revenue allowing the council to increase borrowing to fund the project.

But cllr Peter Whittaker said: "This is an error in the report."

Cllr Luke Mallett waded in: "We cannot knock this down if we do not believe in the figures.

"This amendment offers hope that someone can take this out of our hands and save us hundreds of thousands of pounds in demolition costs."

Portfolio holder cllr Whittaker argued anyone who wanted to take over the site would have to take over "all of the Dolphin Centre", within a period of a month.

He added he would "reluctantly agree" to defer the report to clear up any ambigiuities regarding the figures.

The council unanimously deferred plans to demolish the Dolphin Centre until July 18.

Speaking after the meeting, a Conservative group spokesman said: "The wording in the report that went to council was ambiguous and in the interests of full transparency the report will be re-submitted at the July meeting of the council.

"Sport England have been clear from the start that Bromsgrove district is adequately served by sports halls already, and that attempting to build another one or to try and refurbish the Dolphin Centre would cost the Council millions.

"We just cannot look a resident in the eye and justify spending millions on a facility only a handful will use.

"We provide keep fit activities in the town centre, in Wythall and across the district, subsidising fitness programmes and runs that are genuinely of benefit to all our residents, and have a fantastically successful new leisure centre in the town."