City of York Council's plans to redevelop the Barbican Centre have been revised to provide improved facilities. Developers, Barbican Venture, have been able to put forward an enhanced scheme as less archaeology was required at the Kent Street Car Park site than expected.

The new proposals include more affordable housing; a better location for the pool next to the car park and a more integrated and visually appealing layout for the site.

In addition, the revised plans include a high quality four star hotel, instead of the original budget hotel, which should generate a significant number of jobs and revenue for the city through conference trade. The hotel and flats will also feature underground parking, in addition to the on-site 270 public parking spaces.

The new plans should increase the value of the capital receipt from the sale of the site from £9.6m to £10.33m, providing an additional £0.7m funding for the redevelopment of Edmund Wilson and Yearsley pools.

The council's Executive will also be asked to approve a revised timetable for the development work at their meeting on Tuesday, 16 December. Due to changes in the procurement and planning process, the Barbican Centre is expected to close at the end of May 2004, with the new pool opening in April 2006.

Refurbishment of the auditorium by Absolute Leisure is due to start in June 2004.

Members will be asked to adopt a partnership approach to developing the three pools to maximise the quality of the development and provide value for money to customers and clients. As part of this, Absolute Leisure will be asked to provide guarantees for the auditorium programme to ensure it remains of the highest standard.