STEVE Cotterill expects Burnley's Gawthorpe training base to be better than ever once an Academy is completed.

A state-of-the-art Academy is to be built at the Padiham-based training ground as part of the club's stunning £20m redevelopment plans.

It is hoped that the £2m facility will help the Clarets attract the best young talent to compete with the biggest clubs in England.

Burnley boss Cotterill is delighted to see the Academy given the green light and believes, when operational, it will complement the facilities already based at Gawthorpe, which include a world-class full-size pitch and an all-weather pitch.

Ever since he took charge at Turf Moor just over three years ago, improving the training ground has been one of Cotterill's top priorities.

And significant enhancements were made with revenues generated off the back of Burnley's run to the FA Cup fifth round in 2004/05.

"Gawthorpe was one of my first big things," said Cotterill.

"Everybody knows that the pitch down there is my baby. "That got built from the cup run.

"I will take a little bit of credit on that one because I ended up falling out with a few people that didn't want to spend that much money on a training pitch.

"But it's absolutely magnificent down there. When the Academy gets build down there, then it will be even better.

Cotterill added: "We just want to be brought up to speed with what all the other clubs have got.

"We want to be able to attract the best young kids.

"It's not necessarily right, but parents and children are definitely influenced by what they see.

"It will be nice to know that in a few years they can be shown around and be impressed by that.

"I'm pleased because it's these things that I've been talking about, probably from day one of being here, of the club being better.

"If ever there comes a time when I leave, as long as I leave the club in a better position than when I came here, then my job will be done."

Cotterill has expressed his delight at the redevelopment plans at Turf Moor, the focus of which is the demolition of the Cricket Field Stand to be replaced by a £10m stand housing a hotel, business centre and cricket pavilion.

Other plans include the relocation of the players' dressing rooms to a new state-of-the-art facility and internal refurbishment of the Bob Lord Stand.

Cotterill said: "I could not be more delighted about it. Burnley is a great club and it does need great facilities."