A new convention centre in Newport, Wales, is set to receive the green light from the council, it has emerged…
Plans for a convention centre located at Newport’s Celtic Manor resort are expected to gain approval.
The Wales International Convention Centre will be able reach 4,000 delegate capacity and as such will be the largest centre of its kind in Wales and the south west of England.
It is understood the plans, which were submitted to Newport Council’s planning committee, have been recommended for approval. If this is granted the facility could open as early as the summer of 2018.
The resort, which is owned by telecoms billionaire Sir Terry Matthews, is already used to host major events. Last September a Nato summit, which included 60 world leaders, was held at the site. The resort also hosted the Ryder Cup golf tournament in 2010. It would be, therefore, a good location for the centre.
The convention centre has been designed by architects Scott Brownrigg. It will include an auditorium for up to 1,500 delegates, as well as a separate exhibition hall.
In keeping with the local area, Welsh slate will be used in its construction and extra trees will be planted around the site.
Plans also comprise of a large external plaza area at the front main entrance, which will point west. This is expected to serve as a landscaped area, but it can also be used as external exhibition space.
The plaza will be divided into two levels, an upper and lower section. Steps will link the two areas, providing access to the Manor House. The steps will also act as a seating area in an amphitheatre-style space.
Immediately in front of the main hall facility within the upper plaza will be a water feature, designed to create an attractive area.
Additionally, the plans show a sculptured feature wall on the southern side of the plaza, designed to screen the access road to the underground car park and service areas.
The facility will also include two storeys of basement parking for 700 vehicles underneath the main hall, and a multi-storey care park will span over four floors with another 290 spaces.
The plans were unveiled almost two years ago, with outline planning permission granted last July.
The centre would enable more business to occur, as each year Celtic Manor is forced to turn away around £100m worth of business, as it does not have the facilities to accommodate larger conferences.
It is estimated the construction phase of the centre would inject £50m into the local economy. The centre is expected to bring in around £70m a year.
