PLANS for a new church on the site of the former Gannow Baths in Burnley have been unveiled.

Proposals have been put forward by the New Life Church, formerly known as the Queensgate Pentecostal Church, for the old baths, which closed in 2004.

Originally the church, which has been using the old baths building temporarily, wanted to build a youth and community building alongside a place of worship on the site, off Sycamore Avenue.

But their intentions have now changed and 40 new homes have now been pencilled in, alongside the new church complex.

A Burnley Borough Council planning spokes-man said in a report: "For financial and practical reasons, the church now wishes to combine its activities into one building, by erecting the new church and demolishing the existing building.

"The site of the demolished building is proposed to accommodate a residential development of up to 40 houses and apartments, which will help to fund the new church."

Existing playing fields, beside the old baths, will be protected as they will remain under the ownership of the borough council.

Neighbours are concerned about the potential impact, on traffic grounds, of introducing the church and 40 extra properties into the area, according to a borough council planning report.

British Waterways officers have advised that a weir is located in a towpath, of the nearby Leeds and Liverpool Canal, and the developers should consult with the authority before any work commences.

Planning officials have recommended the develop-ment for approval however, as it does not contravene any of the council's development policies.

The organisation already has planning permission for a church and community building on the site, dating back to 2005.

Back then the plans met with fierce opposition from neighbours with about 150 voicing their disapproval of the scheme.

Only two have contacted the council about the current project.

The final decision on the church bid will be made by development control comm-ittee councillors next Thursday at Burnley Town Hall.

The baths closed in July 2004 following a borough council leisure review after a distinguished 104-year history.

The church has been in the town since 1922.