A BUSINESSMAN's leisure dream is becoming a reality now construction work has started on a £7.9m scheme in Burnley.

Outbuildings and cow sheds at the former 150 herd dairy farm Crow Wood House have been levelled and a large field ploughed flat to form the car park and outdoor tennis courts.

Steel structures have been erected more or less on the same footprint as the original buildings, but although the site currently resembles an industrial estate, the buildings are to be built of stone with blue slate roofs to blend in with the area.

The leisure and equestrian centre is the brainchild of local businessman Andrew Brown, 43, former joint managing director of FH Brown.

He said: "This is something I have always wanted to do and we have had a lot of support and interest in the centre because people in this area were saying there is a desperate need because there is nothing in Burnley.

"For me this was the ideal spot because it was such a big site and I liked where it was.

"With the best will in the world the Thompson Centre is starting to show its age."

Andrew's plans for the Green Belt land had to go to a public inquiry because they were a departure from the normal agricultural development, but the Secretary of State granted approval.

He said: "We took ownership on December 1 and are on schedule to have the whole site, including the equestrian centre open for November 1. "We had bricklayers start on site a week ago and they have already laid 4,000 blocks. There are changes every week and within ten weeks the whole place will be watertight."

Andrew has formed his own construction company to oversee the development and 150 workers and sub-contractors will be employed throughout the building stages. Once it is open the centre will employ between 40 and 60 people.

Director of operations for Crow Wood Leisure Limited is Rob Sykes who worked with Andrew at FH Brown for 25 years.

The buildings have been built into the field so when construction is finished they should blend in with the surrounding countryside.

A total of 25,000 trees will be planted and hedgerows so the large car park will be screened from view and the resulting complex will resemble a normal working farm.

Inside the leisure centre there will be a swimming pool, fitness room, therapy suite, dance hall, squash courts, indoor tennis halls, sauna and steam room.

The existing farmhouse will provide staff accommodation. A new road is being built leading from the M65 roundabout at junction 11 which will also improve access for other farmers.

He expects the leisure centre to attract people from 15 miles away and for people to travel from even further to make use of the equestrian facility. Andrew said: "In five years time you won't even see the centre once the trees have grown."