COUNCILLORS in Burnley are to be given an update on plans for a new £7million health and leisure centre at next week's executive committee.

In a report to the committee it states that demolition work at St Peter's Car Park has to start in November to meet ambitious timescales, which will see the project completed by December 2005.

The demolition of the multi-storey car park will make way for a new building to take the place of the Thompson Centre and a health facility providing a wide range of services.

A Burnley Borough Council spokesman said: "This building would put health and exercise side by side, right in the heart of the town centre.

"It will give Burnley a high quality facility easily accessible to everyone as well as helping to develop that part of the town centre, attracting more people and bringing knock-on benefits."

Councillors have been recommended to approve the plans for the buildings that will include creating GP surgeries, an out-of-hours medical centre, a dental surgery and a pharmacy. And after community consultation they have been asked to approve the sports facility proposals for a 25 metre six lane pool, learner pool, spectator area, fitness suite, two dance and aerobic studios, health suite including sauna, steam room and spa pool, four court sports hall, practice hall, two squash courts, changing accommodation, community cafe and cyber cafe, and a creche.

The new buildings will be built on land between the River Brun and Bank Parade. There will be pedestrian access to the site from Church Street and Bank Parade and vehicles coming in from Church Street and going out on to Bank Parade.

Burnley Business Centre will also be demolished to make way for the development, which will be the first of its kind in the country, if the plans are given the go-ahead.

Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust, Burnley Council and the East Lancashire Building Partnership have drawn up the proposals for the St Peter's car park site in the town centre.