A SERIOUSLY ill man has urged tennis magnate David Lloyd to rethink plans for a sports centre next to a York respite centre.

Multiple sclerosis sufferer Mike Lewis said the centre's car park, planned for land next to the Woodlands centre, in Thief Lane, would destroy the benefits he received from an average eight weeks a year stay.

Mr Lewis was speaking at a public meeting designed for City of York Council and former Wimbledon star Mr Lloyd's Next Generation Clubs, along with partners the College of Ripon and York St John, to hear concerns of local people. The centre is proposed for land near Windmill Lane, off Hull Road.

Mr Lewis said: "When I first came here I was very, very ill and, if it wasn't for the break my wife and children had from the stress of looking after me and the care and peace I get at Woodlands, I don't know if my family could stay together. If this car park was built close to the bedrooms it would ruin the benefits I get."

Last night's meeting at Archbishop Holgate School was designed to discuss revised proposals for the building, including moving the building away from Woodlands, which would leave the car park near to it.

Developers also proposed providing access into the site from the Windmill Lane and Hull Road junction, with restrictions to Windmill Lane being moved to a different location.

They plan to install traffic lights at the junction, and make a contribution towards the cost of traffic-calming measures in Tang Hall Lane.

But the vast majority of the attendance of about 100 people voiced concerns including an increase in traffic, noise and light pollution and fears over security.

Norrie McLeod, spokesman for Next Generation Clubs, said: "We have been building centres like this for 20 years and there is no noise break out to the levels anticipated. There are environmental health regulations which would not allow us to make noise."

He said lighting would be only six metres off the ground, and directed downwards.

"If people could see our centres elsewhere, I think they would have a different view," he said.

"With the Woodlands centre, we have tried to appreciate their concerns as much as we can and we want to cause as little disruption as we possibly can, but it seems the only development that would satisfy them is none at all."

City of York Council planning committee members will discuss the application on August 10.

adam.nichols@ycp.co.uk