A MULTI-MILLION pound sports complex could be built on the outskirts of York after developers revived ambitious proposals.

The Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) wants to create a 4.5 hectare facility on land near Clifton Moor, with provision for swimming, football, cricket and tennis.

The ROKO centre would replace the CSSC's old Boroughbridge Road club, which closed nearly four years ago.

It would primarily be a private club for civil servants working but would also be open to the public, particularly local schools and sports teams.

Jason Tait, of the applicant's agent Planning Prospects Ltd, said: "It's a really positive scheme for York, and it will be a real positive injection of new sports and health facilities for the city."

The multi-million-pound proposals are a revised version of plans first drafted in 2003, and include:

* Two senior football pitches, ten 5-a-side pitches and one 7-a-side pitch.

* Four tennis courts.

* Gym and three studios.

* Swimming pool and learner pool.

* Sauna suite and health suite Sports bar.

It would also include changing rooms, a catering area, a crèche and parking for 232 cars, but no longer includes the two squash courts from the original plans. The complex would be on land behind the old Ikon & Diva nightclub, near the junction of Wigginton Road and the A1237.

The applicant already has planning permission for a larger development on the same site, so believes consent is likely for the latest blueprint. In a design statement accompanying the application, S&P Architects wrote: "Over the years, a number of Government functions (including staff) have been relocated to the York area.

"With many of the civil servants choosing to live outside the ring road to the north of the city, the CSSC/ROKO wishes to relocate its facilities to Clifton Moor, in order to make them more accessible to its members."

It adds: "The applicant is willing to agree to a planning condition that would allow for community use of the outdoor facilities during non-peak hours. This represents a considerable opportunity for the local community and private members alike to benefit from high quality indoor and outdoor facilities."

The Boroughbridge Road club closed in 2003, since when member clubs have been using alternative facilities around York.

Although permission for a new complex at Clifton Moor was granted after an appeal in 2004, the CSSC did not build it due to changes in what they wanted on the site. The new proposals are marginally smaller.

Miriam Jackson, of the York Sport and Leisure Campaign, said the proposals sounded "fantastic".

She said: "We are one of the least-exercising towns in the whole country and I think that's appalling. We prosper in our nice climate too much sometimes.

"This is really what the city needs more of."