THE developers behind plans for York's Barbican Centre have said their scheme would benefit both the city and the council.

Barbican Venture's plans for the leisure centre, which are currently being considered by local residents, include a £2.5 million refurbishment of the centre's 1,500 seat auditorium and a new £5.5 million county standard swimming pool.

Martin Foster, of FPDSavills, the consultants behind the Barbican Venture bid, said the project had been carefully looked at to ensure it would suit the city.

The scheme would see the centre's leisure facilities separated from its entertainment facilities. He said: "At the moment the entrance to the auditorium is the same as the entrance to the swimming pool. But if you are sitting in a caf or a bar you don't necessarily want the smell of chlorine.

"We want the entrance to the refurbished auditorium to have the feel of a high quality four-star hotel reception."

As well as the main 25 metre eight-lane swimming pool, there would also be a teaching pool with an adjustable hydraulic floor so the pool could be made shallower for children and the disabled, and there would be seating for spectators to watch swimming competitions.

Mr Foster said: "We have always felt that York deserves a proper swimming pool, which meets county standards."

He said they had considered refurbishing the centre's existing pool or building a smaller six-lane pool, but felt it was more cost-efficient to build a new county standard pool.

The company is also planning to refurbish the car park in Kent Street, adding more lighting and CCTV cameras to make the area safer.

He said City of York Council would receive £3 million for the site, which would also include about 160 apartments and town houses and two luxury hotels.

But he said the council stood to make much more money from the project.

"We have agreed to share all our profits above an agreed level with the council," he said.

Mr Foster will be available to answer questions on the project at specially-organised open days. They will take place at the Barbican Centre tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday and on Tuesday, March 25.

Residents have until April 14 to return their consultation questionnaires about the scheme.

Updated: 10:12 Monday, March 17, 2003