BURNLEY Council says it has no plans to demolish a new £400,000 community health centre.

Council bosses have said the future of the Howard Street Centre is not under threat -- despite Neighbourhood Action Pans showing it being replaced by a play area and allotments.

The move was put forward by the council as one of three options for the future of South West Burnley.

Michael Wellock the council's coordinator for the programme said: "We have no plans to bulldoze the Howard Street Centre.

"The neighbourhood action plans, being prepared by the council look forward to what areas may be like in 15 years time.

"The long-term goal behind these plans is to create sustainable communities. To bring this about will mean radical change over a number of years.

"This long-term change will involve clearance, new build and the relocation of existing facilities.

"We have developed three options for each of the priority areas, of which South West Burnley is one.

"These options are not plans showing what the council intends to do. Nor are they a beauty contest between the three options with the winner being the council's adopted plan. They are tools being used in public consultation. They present different long-term options for how an area could develop."

Following concern from patients that the Howard Street Centre would be a casualty of the council's long-term regeneration plans, the authority has presented a united front with the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust which owns the site.

Mr Wellock added: "These options are being used by the council to get people involved in the long term planning of their area and consider how an area may change for the better.

"So far four out of 13 planned consultation events have been held. More than 230 people have come along to discuss and debate how their area may change.

"Many more are expected to do the same, and are encouraged to do so at future events. People in South West Burnley will get the chance to have their say about the future of the area on August 23 from noon to 4pm at the Howard Street Centre."