BURNLEY Football Club have unveiled plans for a £20million transformation of their Turf Moor ground which will create up to 300 new jobs.

Club bosses have revealed proposals which will see half of the ground redeveloped over the next three years to create a state-of-the art stadium with community and business facilities.

A brand new £10million 2,500-seater stand replacing the David Fishwick (cricket field) stand will be built which will also incorporate a hotel, restaurant, business centre and cricket pavilion for Burnley Cricket Club.

Other developments include:

* The redevelopment of the Bob Lord stand estimated at £3.75million which will see wooden seats replaced and a multi-screen digital cinema, restaurants, new club offices and hospitality suites built.

* New players' dressing rooms and a hospitality block between the Jimmy McIlroy and James Hargreaves stands.

* A dedicated supporters bar and restaurant.

* A new enlarged retail store.

* The creation of the Burnley FC academy at the club's Gawthorpe training ground to nurture young players.

Building work will be in six phases and is due to start next year.

When finished the stadium will hold around 22,000 similar to the present.

Club bosses have hailed the announcement and saying it would act as a major catalyst for the regeneration of Burnley.

Barry Kilby, chairman of the club, said the redevelopment would make the club less dependant on footballing activities for its income.

"We are the biggest thing Burnley has got nationally.

"Hopefully we can be part of the regeneration of this town.

"The town has been declining for many years economically and hopefully this is part of the turning point."

Burnley FC has teamed up with Longside Properties for the project.

The cash will come from club directors, a bank loan, private investment and grants.

The completed scheme will be called the Burnley Sports and Leisure Village.

It is hoped the new facilities will generate about £2m to £3m a year, most of which will go to the club.

If planning permission if passed the first phase will be the £1.25million three-tier players dressing room and hospitality building which will also house media facilities.

That will be followed by the replacement David Fishwick stand which will also include a gymnasium and hospitality boxes.

As part of the development a multi-story car park will be built in Harry Potts Way.

The final project will be the £1million supporters bar and restaurant which will be built on the site of the former club offices.

All work should be completed by summer 2010.

Planning applications are due to be submitted in September and bosses have been in talks with the council.

The club said it also intended to consult businesses, residents and other organisations in the area.

Brendan Flood, director of the club and property developer is using his expertise on the scheme.

He said the development would send a signal out that this would be a major gateway for the town leaving people with a lasting impression of Burnley.

He added that he hoped residents would not be against the project.

"We have had discussions with the ward councillors and that was positive.

"Most people have bought their houses knowing there is a football club on their doorstep.

"This is only going to improve the environment, we are going to provide a high quality infrastructure around the stadium.

"Overall, the gross investment is going to be £20m and hopefully that would generate a return of up to £3m a year and the club will get the lions share."

John Stubbs, chairman of Burnley Cricket Club, said the two parties needed to sort out some issues regarding the building of the new David Fishwick stand.

He said: "It is a fantastic chance but my main concern is that this is right for the cricket club.

"There is quite a few issues we need to sort out.

"In return for the new pavilion we are giving up parking areas and some advertising hoardings which generate money for the club."