A PLANNING application for an international conference centre at the Celtic Manor Resort has been submitted to Newport council.

The Wales International Conference centre proposes to cater for 4,000 people, which requires 30,000 sq/m of building over three floors, which would make it the biggest conference facility in Wales and the south west of England.

Terry Matthew’s five-star resort played host to the Ryder Cup in 2010 and is hosting this year’s NATO summit in September.

The report states the new facility will “enhance the reputation of not just the Celtic Manor Resort but the wider community of Newport.”

The resort already employs 760 people on a permanent basis, but say they expect to increase that to 910 over the next ten years with the combination this and other developments.

The new centre, which aims to be a world-class convention centre, would be built next to junction 24 of the M4. Plans include a multi-storey car park for approximately 1,800 cars, a state-of-the-art new auditorium, exhibition hall and complementary facilities.

The design access statement suggests the new facility would generate more than 100,000 bedroom nights per year, with the Celtic Manor Resort only capable of accommodating 20,000 per year.

The remainder would have to be accommodated off site.

The initial stage of the project will be match-funded by the Welsh Government. Construction of the centre is expected to take two years.

There were no objections from Gwent police, Natural resources Wales, Newport council officers or the Welsh Government. The Gwent Wildlife Trust expressed objection to the proposal, in its current form, on the grounds of “losses to Ancient Semi Natural Woodland and ecological connectivity.”