AMBITIOUS plans to develop the next generation of Clarets’ talent are about to take a giant step forward.

Plans for a new indoor training arena at Gawthorpe, which would improve Burnley FC’s first-team training facilities and promote the youth set-up to academy level, have been submitted to the borough council.

They include an indoor training arena with new changing rooms, a gym, referee’s room, staff offices, meeting area and kitchen. The present changing rooms will also be overhauled.

It is hoped the development will not only attract a better calibre of youth player to Burnley but also foster improved links with the county’s junior clubs.

The £2million training ground proposals were first announced three years ago, alongside a leisure complex featuring a hotel and cinema.

Since then outlook for Turf Moor has been refined with work mainly concentrating on the regeneration of the David Fishwick stand.

This would be converted into a combined concert venue, using land currently owned by Burnley Cricket Club. Talks are ongoing over the prospect of the cricket club relocating to Towneley Park.

Mike Ralph, of Manchester-based planning agents RED Property Services, said in the application: “The existing facilities have deteriorated and provide insufficient space for the club’s day-to-day training programme with the players having to move between the stadium and the training ground.

“The proposal aim to upgrade the existing facilities to provide accommodation for the first team and all teams through to youth level for training, eating and meetings, which will means that there will be no need to travel between training ground and football stadium on a day-to-day basis.”

Club officials are now seeking to persuade planning officers that the proposals will have a minimal impact on neighbouring Gawthorpe Hall, owned by the National Trust.