York's long-awaited tennis centre is at last on its way after David Lloyd's Next Generation Clubs chain clinched a land deal for the £10 million project.

Contracts have been exchanged for the Hull Road site between the College of Ripon and York St John, which is selling the site, and the David Lloyd concern.

Nick Lawrence, head of sales and marketing at Next Generation, said the firm was in the process of choosing a contractor and expected building work to start in the next four to five months.

The work is set to take a year.

Planning permission to develop the tennis centre on the seven-acre site was granted last August after the college and Next Generation put in a joint application. Students from the college will be able to use the facilities and the college plans to set up a York Institute of Sport Science and Sport Medicine at the centre.

The plans were welcomed by tennis players who wanted somewhere to practise all year round in their own city, but prompted grave concerns from the Woodlands Respite Care Centre for MS sufferers next door about noise and disturbance.

Vanessa Lindsay Smith, general manager, said: "My reservations about the appropriateness of siting this large development in this position haven't changed.

"I am aware things have been moving, but I haven't been given any full details of the planned programme of work.

"I'm hoping that the developers will keep us informed of their plans, and they will work with us to minimise disruption to our guests, as far as they are able."

Mr Lawrence said the company was as concerned as Woodlands about these issues and would be building earth banking and fencing around the site as well as planting extensively.

Roy Templeman, director of environment and development at the City of York Council, said a list of conditions had been drawn up governing noise during the building of the club and once it opened.

A community liaison group has been set up to work with the college and Next Generation as the building work progresses.

The council will also be working with Next Generation on plans for community access for schools, groups for the elderly and disadvantaged.

Planned facilities at the centre include 13 tennis courts, including eight indoor courts, two half Olympic length swimming pools (one indoor), a gymnasium and fitness centre, an aerobics studio, three squash courts, three badminton courts, a volleyball court, a netball practice court, a sprint track, a health spa, beauty salon, creche facilities and a restaurant, bar and lounge area.

Updated: 11:03 Thursday, April 26, 2001