A MASTERPLAN to transform a retail site into a family activity centre and tourism attraction has been revealed by its new owners.

Under the plans Ebbw Vale's Festival Park will be turned into a major leisure and tourist destination.

A range of new attractions will be created at the retail park site which has 75 acres of parkland and was used to hold the final UK Garden Festival in 1992.

These include mountain biking, a forest rope adventure, a zipline, luge rides, an 'iconic' climbing wall and a BMX circuit.

South Wales Argus:

A site map of the proposals

An upgrade to the retail park will see new leisure uses introduced such as a cinema, hotel and a wider food and drink offer.

The shopping centre opened five years after the final National Garden Festival of Wales in 1992.

London-based investor GWM Capital bought the site in February, with Metis Real Estate taking over asset management of the scheme for them.

The owners have also incorporated a countryside classroom and community orchard into the plans, which will also look to reinstate some of the original garden festival exhibits.

Paul Jones, of Metis Real Estate, said: "Complementary leisure activities that can provide a full day out for a family are key to this development in successful retailing and at Festival Park, we are lucky to have the gardens from the time of the original festival to work with and deliver a positive overall experience for visitors and shoppers alike.

"We have also launched a new events programme at Festival Park to enhance the shopper experience short term, with the centre extremely proud to be hosting the Rugby Six Nations and Triple Crown trophies onsite on Wednesday, April 24.

"There will also be a couple of additional surprises for any visitors to the scheme on the day."

A full exhibition of the new plans will go on public display at the centre on Thursday, May 9, with residents encouraged to visit.