PLANS for a major new leisure complex in a Gwent town centre are to be submitted within the next week the Argus can reveal.

Cwmbran is set to benefit from the scheme - the first stage in a major redevelopment programme involving £100m in private investment.

The development, earmarked for land adjacent to the town centre between Caradoc Road and Glyndwr Road, will comprise an eight-screen cinema, a 24-lane bowling alley, a night club, restaurants, bars and office space.

Council officers are in close discussion with Cardiff-based developer Mintblue which took over ownership of the town centre site between St Davids Road, Glyndwr Rd, the Centre for Young People and Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre.

Torfaen council's leader Bob Wellington said: "Cwmbran is a great place to shop, but to date has lacked major private sector leisure facilities.

"While there are still a lot of discussions to be had about the detail of the development, in principle, the bowling alley and cinema give additional provision for young people and families and is just what Cwmbran needs . "It is in line with our published plans for the town centre and will help stimulate the wider expansion and regeneration of this end of town."

Bowlplex are behind the plans for the 30,000 sq ft bowling alley.

The company already owns 16 complexes across the UK, including Nantgarw near Cardiff.

Tracy Standish, managing director of Bowlplex, said the company was looking forward to opening its £2.5 million site by the autumn of next year. The bowling alley alone will bring 40 jobs into the area.

She said: "Being located on a site with other leisure operators, the new Bowlplex site will also be situated next to the Cwmbran retail centre so transport linkswill be easy."

Bowlplex will include bowling, a licensed bar and grill, video games and a pool pit.