Councillors have agreed to give residents more time to save a swimming pool.

But they've warned it may top £1million to repair Elland Baths.

Cabinet members agreed to give the community a few weeks to assess reports in relation to their community asset transfer plan for Elland baths, but released a report outlining its structural problems and the potential cost of carrying out the work.

They said repairs would cost £1m, not £300,000 as residents say, making it unlikely anyone could bring the closed pool back into use.

Cabinet members were asked to reconsider their earlier rejection of a community asset transfer for the baths following a recommendation from a Scrutiny Panel.

The Save Elland Baths group of residents, businesses and community groups have fought to re-open the pool.

Clr Tim Swift, council leader, said: “I’m concerned, in particular, that the proposal is not realistic because of the cost of bringing the building back into a state fit to be re-opened against and so it can have a realistic lifespan.”

Clr David Hardy, Elland Lib Dem, said: “All we are asking for is another six months.”

He said the costs of private contractors was often less than what the public sector estimate.

Clr Barry Collins, Cabinet member for economy and environment, said he believed the Scrutiny recommendation was a mistake.

He said: “I simply do not believe that building can be brought back into use for £300,000.

“In 2004 the estimate cost of all various elements to bring that building back into use, the repairs, the structure, electricity, asbestos and fire safety, was £735,790 and that was ten years ago.

“We are talking about £1m now and Cabinet has to be assured that anybody is capable of doing it and with the extend of the work I don't think anyone can.”

However, they would not allow residents six months, with Clr Swift saying it would be “easy politically with an election coming, as people could say they saved Elland baths, but it’s not the responsible thing to do.”

> The swimming pool was closed in December 2011 when structural problems were discovered.