THE developer behind a proposed state-of-the art golf academy and driving range in Burnley today said he was meeting the needs of residents.

Steven Potts wants to transform farmland between Red Lees Road and the River Brun in Cliviger into a £750,000 high-tech centre.

The scheme has received strong criticism from residents who do not want the land developed and said it would create traffic problems.

But today Mr Potts, of Hollins Farm, Cliviger, said the findings of a questionnaire in which villagers were asked what developments they would like to see in the village formed the basis of his planning application, which has cost £27,000.

The questionnaire, compiled by Cliviger Parish Council, was completed by 89per cent of residents and the findings were turned into an action plan which included improvements to sporting and leisure facilities.

The 49-year-old said of all the sporting activities not available in Cliviger golf came top of residents' wish list.

He said: "How can you put an action plan together then object to something?

"It doesn't make sense to me, 89per cent of people in Cliviger have put this report together.

"We are meeting the wishes and visions of the people of Cliviger and what they want."

The proposed site has been owned by the family of Mr Potts' wife for 60 years. If approved the complex, aimed at schools and colleges, 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 a nine-hole par-three golf course and car parking.

Mr Potts said the rental value of the land had plummeted in recent years and he would keep it as farmland if it was viable.

He added the Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs had also encouraged farmers to diversify.

He also stressed that the complex was not a full-scale golf course and the longest hole would be some 110 yards long.

Mr Potts also said residents in Red Lees Road would not see the complex when it was established because newly-planted trees would screen it.

He added: "There is not another facility like this in the borough of Burnley."

Parish council chairman Edward Heys today admitted an action plan was drawn up but said he was not involved in it.

He added: "I have made my views known, we are totally against it."

The action plan sets out how the rural qualities of the parish will be safeguarded and says: "The plan acknowledges that we have a significant part to play in improving the rural aspects of the parish and creating facilities which will allow the enjoyment of the countryside to spread wider.

"We need to ensure that we are in a position to welcome our urban neighbours, provide them with the opportunities for sport and recreation."

It continues: "We need facilities which will attract visitors, open access to the countryside and heritage trails and recreation facilities for people."