A YORK college may try to buy up the city's biggest coach park - and shut a swimming pool - as part of massive redevelopment plans.

The Evening Press understands that the College of Ripon and York St John is considering building a new learning resource centre, or library, on the Clarence Street coach park.

The coach park, run by City of York Council, serves as a major dropping off point for tourists visiting York, but is sited in one of the city's most congested areas near Gillygate, where traffic jams are common.

The college is also understood to be considering demolishing the swimming pool on its Lord Mayor's Walk campus and building offices in its place.

The St John's swimming pool is used by members of the public and several local primary schools, including Park Grove and St Wilfrid's.

The college is undergoing a major re-development as it closes its Ripon campus, with all students set to be based at York from September 2001.

Other plans in the pipeline include the college's already well-publicised partnership with Next Generation Clubs, fronted by tennis star David Lloyd, to develop a new sports and leisure centre at a site in Hull Road, which would include new swimming pools.

The college is unwilling to comment on either the coach park or swimming pool proposals.

A spokeswoman said she could not confirm or deny that the pool or coach park proposals were being discussed.

"It is far too early to comment on these issues," she said.

"We are in the process of change and there is a lot to do and a lot being planned.

"A number of plans and possibilities and options are open to us about what we will do about the campus, but there are so many uncertainties at the moment."

She said a learning resource centre was planned, but a location had not yet been decided on.

Roy Templeman, director of environment and development services at the City of York Council, said: "I can't discuss any specific site moves with you until such time as we have got firm proposals from the college - it would be pure speculation.

"We welcome their move from Ripon into York and we want to help them make that move as smooth as possible."

Mr Templeman said a detailed planning application for the Next Generation centre would go before planning councillors on August 10.

Before then, there would be a public meeting for residents on July 20 at Archbishop Holgate's school.