THE first official plans for the multi-million pound redevelopment of York Barbican Centre are on the verge of being submitted.

Outline plans for the centre's redevelopment have been going back and forth between the council and developers for months.

But the first formal planning application is now ready, and was expected to be forwarded within seven days by developers Barbican Venture.

The company has also released the first images of how the centre will look after its £41 million redevelopment.

As previously reported in the Evening Press, the new scheme will include: a community swimming pool; 240 flats, of which 60 will be "affordable"; a 270-space public car park; and a £2.5m refurbishment of the Barbican auditorium. There will also be a new outdoor play area.

Keith Orrell, the council's executive member for leisure and heritage, said: "I think the proposals are tremendous. If the planning application is right then this scheme can enhance the whole area, then revitalise the whole area."

The new set of plans was submitted after experts found the Barbican site to be less archaeologically important than first thought.

Coun Orrell, speaking at yesterday's executive meeting, added: "They (the plans) include a lot of extra things. There are more jobs, relating to the hotel and conference facilities. They should bring in significant extra money to York, estimated at £2m at the moment."

Barbican Venture spokesman Andrew Cossins said the company was delighted the council backed the proposals.

It was keen to push on with the work, should the application be approved.

Mr Cossins said: "The proposal is the result of two years of careful research and public consultation, and we are delighted that we are one step closer to being able to breathe new life into the site and bring these new facilities to York.

"As York residents we have taken seriously our responsibility to fully investigate the impact of our proposal to the city as a whole, as well as to those who live here, and our careful approach to these elements has put our plan ahead of the dozen or so other proposals submitted."

Updated: 10:48 Wednesday, December 17, 2003