A NEW health and fitness complex complete with swimming pool is part of a scheme to transform Worcester's derelict fruit and vegetable market.

The plans for the riverside plot in Hylton Road have been proposed by Warley Street Properties, which has bought the Worcester Produce site.

It wants to replace the current buildings, which have stood empty for more than 10 years. If its plans are approved, gym firm Life Of Leisure will take over the biggest of the new buildings.

The company, which has a already has a club in Bromyard Road, St John's, will operate a 25m long swimming pool, a spa room, changing rooms and a creche on the ground floor.

There will be fitness facilities, including a cardiovascular area, a weight section, three studios and a health and beauty salon, on the first floor.

The scheme also includes 103 parking spaces and new footpaths and cycle lanes and would create about 48 jobs. Three shop spaces are also proposed, but it is not yet known who would occupy these.

The application will not be viewed by Worcester City Council's planning committee until at least the end of April.

City planning officer Nick Kay said: "The development would raise the level of visual amenity in this important part of the city.

"Worcester is under-provided with health club facilities and an additional club on this scale will make an important contribution in the city.

"Some people may have concerns about traffic, but 70 per cent of visits are likely to take place during the peak evening period and to occur as part of the trip from work to home. The overall increase in traffic levels will be low in comparison to the social and economic benefits."

City and county councillor Simon Geraghty, whose ward includes the site, said: "I would be delighted to see some regeneration on this site. It is an eyesore and something needs to be done.

"We have had a lot of

false starts with the site, but this sounds like good news."

Karen Oliver, the officer manager at Phoenix Fireplaces in Hylton Road, said: "Anything has to be better than it is at the moment, and having a health and fitness centre is a good idea.

"Developing the site could be good for present businesses too."

Life Of Leisure and the agents for Essex-based Warley Street Properties Ltd, declined to comment.

The site has been subject to a number of planning applications over the past 10 years, including one by the supermarket giant Safeway and another from home- improvement chain B&Q.

Last year, there were plans for a car showroom and another health centre. None of the schemes came to fruition, with flooding regarded as a problem by some potential developers.

Hylton Road now has a temporary defence system that is erected when water levels reach a certain height.