A £250 MILLION motorsport centre of excellence and industrial, commercial and leisure complex could be built in Ebbw Vale, the Argus can exclusively reveal today.

The proposal would see land at Rassau turned into a racetrack for a variety of different motorbike and car racing events and attract tens of thousands of visitors every year.

But the development would be much more than just a racetrack.

Talks are under way to build a lowcarbon centre of excellence for motorsport which would include a research and development centre, as well as separate industrial, commercial and leisure units.

As yet, there are no details of what that might entail, or what businesses if any are looking to come to the area, but it is believed the development of such units, combined with the race track and research and development centre, could see thousands of jobs created.

The Heads of the Valley Development Company, which is behind the scheme, is apparently made up of public and private partners including the Welsh Assembly and Blaenau Gwent council.

The reason Rassau has been earmarked for such a development is that the unique landscape of the area lends itself perfectly to a racetrack and there are good transport links to the rest of the UK.

A source told the Argus there is a huge desire for the centre to come to the area and if given the go-ahead, it would be a motorsport venue of significant worldwide importance, attracting international calibre racing.

Exactly where in Rassau the development is being earmarked for, or who owns the lands, had not been disclosed.

A spokeswoman for Blaenau Gwent council said: “The council would welcome any development that brings high-quality jobs and substantial economic benefits to the area, as part of our continued efforts to support employment opportunities, encourage inward investment and support the development of the recently announced Enterprise Zone.

“We are currently in ongoing discussions to look at how we can support this proposal.”

● What do you think of the plan? Contact Laura Doel on 01633 777219 or e-mail laura.doel@southwalesargus.co.uk with your views.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Racetrack bid needs thought

DETAILS of the proposed ‘motorsport centre of excellence’ are still in their infancy and as yet a little sketchy.

But if this scheme ever does get off the ground it would be a wonderful boost for the Valleys.

The Heads of the Valleys Development Company, which is behind the project, appears to be made up of private and public sectors including the Assembly and Blaenau Gwent Council.

The plans include turning an area of land in Rassau into a racetrack for a variety of different motorbike and car-racing events.

There would also be other leisure facilities, as yet unidentified. With so much money being thrown at this scheme, it would inevitably lead to a local jobs boost.

Anything that brings in people to this part of the world would also be welcome.

As yet, we are told that no specific area has been identified for the scheme.

This could be key to its failure or success.

It is inevitable that if it were placed too close to homes there would be uproar.

We hope those behind these plans think about any impact on residents when they finally reveal where it will be placed.