DEVELOPERS have served up a £10 million plan for a tennis and fitness centre on the site of the former Bolton Royal Infirmary.

And the scheme could create 200 permanent and 400 temporary jobs.

Oakland House Developments of Manchester have submitted plans to Bolton Council for a David Lloyd Health and Tennis Centre on the flattened site of the casualty unit.

The rest of the 10.5 acre site would be filled with a new headquarters for local solicitors Keogh Ritson, a new office unit for Bolton Business Centre Ltd and 21 retirement bungalows.

Details in the plans include both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, eight indoor and four outdoor tennis courts, two badminton courts, three squash courts, a large gymnasium, restaurant, bar, hair salon, creche and nursery.

If approved by the council, work will start on the site, off Chorley New Road, at the end of this year and the development would open in Spring 1999.

Up to 400 people will be employed in the construction. Then 200 staff from Keogh Ritson would relocate and a further 200 new jobs would be created at the tennis centre and offices.

Oakland director Peter Bailey said: "We are very excited about the combination of activities that this significant site can now provide for the people of Bolton.

"This is an opportunity for an important addition to what Bolton town centre increasingly has to offer its residents and I am confident it will be a catalyst for even further investment."

The David Lloyd centre is the second major tennis facility plan for Bolton announced recently. Last year plans were revealed for an indoor sports centre at Middlebrook, near the Reebok Stadium including eight indoor tennis courts, a health and fitness suite and 27-room hostel.

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