PHASE one of Burnley FC's £30m re-vamp has been given the go-ahead.

The club are one step closer to the re-development of Turf Moor and the surrounding area, after plans for a three-storey leisure and office development were approved unanimously by Burnley councillors tonight.

The £1.25m building, which includes new changing rooms, a hospitality suite and press room, is described as phase one of the club's overall masterplan to rejuvenate the stadium on Harry Potts Way.

Plans revealed by the Clarets in February described the building as the first of a two phase project, which is expected to be built this year.

Ultimately they aim to attract top hotel and restaurant chains as part of a £30m redevelopment of the stadium and surrounding area, which will take place over the next three years.

The development will be known as Burnley Business and Sporting village rather than Burnley sporting village as originally touted.

In the first part of the plan, the three-storey building will link the Jimmy McIlroy and James Hargreaves stands, creating an enclosed stadium.

Planning officers had recommended the bid be approved in a report to councillors, saying the building on the vacant plot between stands would improve a "bland open corner" and provide state-of-the art facilities.

The ground floor of the building will house changing rooms for home and away teams with physiotherapy areas next to management and coaches' offices. The second floor will provide offices for the day-to-day running of the club and the third floor will include a media suite, press room, hospitality area and facilities for local radio stations.

As the new building is for activities already happening elsewhere on the site, it is thought there will be no impact on parking and traffic.

The development was approved unanimously by councillors on Burnley's Development Control Committee with two conditions: building work must begin within three years and colours and details of external materials must be submitted and approved.

The development is expected to bring in up to £3million a year, most of which will go to the club.

Speaking when the plans were announced, director Brendan Flood said: "At the moment we are losing money and we have to try and reduce that gap and this development can make this happen."