PONTYPOOL town centre could gain a new car park if plans are agreed at today’s cabinet meeting.

The car park would be built on the former gas board site on Clarence Corner, which covers 1.65 acres.

Cabinet members have been asked to approve the project, which will cost more than £500,000 to build but will provide an extra 200 car-parking spaces.

Plans identify potential for 200 long-term parking spaces, which the council hopes will free up the short-term car-parking spaces that are closer to the town centre for shoppers.

A transportation review of the town centre in 2008 identified that there was little spare capacity for parking.

Following the closure of County Hall and the relocation of some council staff to Pearl House, in Hanbury Road, and the Civic Centre, this increased the pressure to create car-parking facilities.

Community councillor and trader in Pontypool Gaynor James said: “It’s amazing news.

I was so excited to see the plans as it will free up the short-stay spaces for shoppers, and there will be more long-stay spaces for workers.

“It will benefit traders, residents and visitors to the town.”

The chairman of Pontypool Community Council, Barry Taylor, added: “The community council would support any plans to bring extra car parking as this is what the town needs.

“It’s tremendous that these plans have come up as it’s very expensive to build, but it’s not before time.”

Funding to the tune of £420,000 would come from Heads of the Valley Funding and £90,000 from Pontypool Regeneration Partnership, with the purchase of the land costing £100,000.