Plans for new sports venture on Hapton business park (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Plans for new sports venture on Hapton business park

11:04am Thursday 18th August 2011 in Hapton By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

A NEW state-of-the-art gym could be on its way to a business park on the outskirts of Burnley.

Supporters of BEST (Burnley Enterprise of Sport & Training) say the proposed venture, on the Network 65 business park at Hapton, is set to attract a number of local clubs.

Burnley Gymnastics Club, currently based in Church Street, and East Lancashire Police Boxing Club, are said to have been in discussions over relocating there.

And the plans have the backing of the borough’s sports and leisure head, Gerard Vinton, who has written a letter of support to his authority’s development control department.

In the letter he said: “Allowing gymnastics and other sports such as boxing and indoor bowls to blossom at BEST will free up more space at St Peter’s leisure centre.”

Applicant Darren Wright said: “The project will be sustained by generating income by way of fees for the boxing and gymnastics elements, whilst also having pay and play participation options so no individual is excluded.”

He also hopes to attract the 1,000-plus employees who work at Network 65.

Talks have taken place with the council over the possibility of loaning gym equipment for the development.

Mr Wright, based in Water, says three full-time and six part-time posts would be created initially, and plans to offer apprenticeships in the future.

BEST officials have applied to the council for a change of use for the building, currently designated as a light industrial site.

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