AN application to the Lottery Sports Fund for a grant of more than £2 million towards the cost of developing Skipton's Aireville Pool has been agreed in principle.

However, although members of the panel have agreed to show support for the project, they are asking for more information from council chiefs before any final decision on awarding a grant can be made.

Craven District Council submitted its application to the Lottery Sports Fund for the new Craven Swimming Pool back in May 1999 when a previous lottery application was rejected.

A report to the council's community services committee to be discussed next Wednesday says: "The decision does not mean an irrevocable commitment by Sport England.

"It merely signifies their support in principle, subject to further development of the project and subsequent re-evaluation by the lottery panel."

The author of the report Mike Cartledge, head of economic and community development, adds: "The decision means that the lottery panel is convinced that the broad concept of the project is sound but that there are areas which need further development."

The report points out to council members that in order to hopefully receive confirmation of a full grant, there will have to be considerable expenditure to supply the lottery panel with the information needed.

The council must firstly appoint an architect-led team to progress the project to a certain stage, and the cost of this work has been estimated at £186,000.

This expenditure will be at the council's risk though, as the work does not guarantee that a full grant award will be forthcoming.

A planning advisor and clerk of works will also have to be appointed to reach this stage and this will cost a further £16,000.

The lottery panel is also insisting for confirmation of outstanding partnership funding for the project.

This includes funding from the private sector, which the lottery panel is keen to encourage.

One area where funding from the private sector could be used is in the management of a proposed fitness studio.

However, a report to committee members warns that specialist advice needs to be sought before any such arrangement is put in place .

Officers have therefore recommended that financial regulations are suspended and an option appraisal is carried out to ensure the council gets the best private finance deal. This could cost approximately £10,000.

Mr Cartledge adds: "There is a high cost to carrying out these tasks, but if the council is to progress the project and attempt to gain a grant award from the Sports Lottery Fund, it has no choice but to undertake them."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.