Newport

Newport City Council are set to buy a plot of land from Associated British Ports (ABP) as they look to create a new £12m leisure destination.

They’re set to acquire the site for just under £20,000 with plans to create a new visitor centre at Newport Transporter Bridge – with land being utilised for car parking and coach drop-offs. [emaillocker id=”71749″]

A council report states: “The envisaged increased visitor numbers to the site will bring more traffic and more space on the west side of the bridge which will be hugely beneficial.”

The Council – who’re speaking on our Developing the Western Gateway Webinar – will now look to complete the £17,500 land purchase – and they’re also set to receive funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. They’re hoping to receive £9.5m for the project from the fund. The Council has already agreed to contribute £1.25m and Visit Wales may also be able to contribute.

Cllr Debbie Harvey, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, said: “The National Lottery Heritage Fund grant officers have been unanimous in their opinion that the purchase of the land is an important aspect of the project for the improvement it would make to the landscape setting as well as improving on-site parking. This point of view is shared by representatives of Cadw who have also stated the a larger footprint would help the setting of the bridge.”

Planning permission for the project – which aims to more than double current visitor numbers to the site – was approved in March.

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