CRAVEN could become the hub for outdoor leisure pursuits in the Dales if plans to build a £2 million adventure centre go ahead.

Members of Craven District Council's community services committee have agreed in principle to support the project.

If it goes ahead and funding is found, a centre of excellence in climbing and caving would be built on land at the rear of Craven Swimming Pool in Aireville Park, working in partnership with other existing businesses in the district.

The council's performance and resources committee will now be asked to agree in principle that the land can be used.

At the centre of the project would be a 1,000 square metre climbing wall facility with different grades to suit all abilities.

Bruce Dinsmore, sports development officer, said if the centre went ahead, it would complement all the natural features already existing in the area.

"This would provide a wet weather alternative for people who want to go climbing or caving," he said. "I don't know if members know, but two of the hardest climbs in the world are in Craven, at Malham and at Kilnsey, and we must match that element."

Yorkshire Forward and the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Government Office have supported the project with financial backing for an outline feasibility study.

Other interested parties include Craven College, which is researching a Foundation Degree course in Outdoor Pursuits Management and Kelbrook-based Entre-Prises UK Ltd - the country's largest climbing wall manufacturer.

At the meeting James Butcher, who runs the Sunhill Centre, an outdoor pursuits and management centre at Rylstone, with his brother Simon, said he was concerned that a high ropes course would impact on their business.

"We opened our high ropes course in 2001 and since then we have seen two other ropes courses open in the area which have had a significant impact on our business already," he said.

"We are positive about an outdoor recreation facility so long as it is centred around the climbing wall and cave facilities," he added.

Councillor Stephen Place said: "I am fully supportive of this project and feel the future of Craven would be very rosy if this went ahead."

Councillor Polly English said she was also supportive.

"We should not impact on other businesses, but that's not to say we should not do it. We have to do this to enhance other business facilities," she added.