A STATE-of-the-art golf academy and driving range has been teed up for Burnley.

The £750,000 high-tech centre is the brainchild of property developer Steven Potts and includes a short-hole nine-hole golf course in countryside between Red Lees Road, Cliviger, and the River Brun.

Golf course architect David Griffith has produced the plans and feasibility study for the complex which have been forwarded to Burnley Council. Mr Potts, of Hollins Farm, Worsthorne, which is close to the proposed development, said the complex would be targeted at schools and colleges.

He added he hoped it would help towards the improvement and development of all young golfers in the area.

The complex would consist of a 16-bay floodlit driving range; a practice putting green and practice bunkers; two indoor bays; an indoor putting green; indoor reception and storage areas; toilets and the nine-hole par-three golf course.

There would be car parking space and toilets.

Access to the complex would be from Red Lees Road. Last year Mr Potts was fined by Reedley magistrates for chopping down without a licence four beech trees on the land.

Mr Potts, whose wife's family have owned the land since the 1940s, said: "Our farm has not been a working farm since 1978. For years we have subsidised its existence through converting its disused buildings into housing ensuring their continued preservation.

"We rented out the fields to other farmers for grazing and silage, but this has now dried up. We are in the position where we have to diversify the use of the land away from farming.

"Our aim is to cause as little disruption to our neighbours as possible, and with aesthetic screening and tree planting, create as pleasant an area as we can.

"The floodlighting would be designed and directed in a way to be as sympathetic to neighbouring homes as possible."

Golf course architect Mr Griffith, who is based in North Wales, said: "The complex would give newcomers a flavour of what to expect when they venture onto golf courses.

"It allows golf etiquette to be taught and for the more accomplished player to sharpen their game without playing a full round of golf."

Cliviger Recreation and Community Association has thrown its support behind the proposals.

Secretary Mr Edward Rawlinson said: "Although we have no direct association with the venture we feel that this is a step in the right direction and it is an amenity that will have the support not only from our members but from Cliviger and beyond.

"We would recommend Cliviger Parish Council and Burnley Borough Council to approve the development."