A MAJOR scheme to redevelop Newport's former Megabowl is likely to fail this week.

Johnsey Estates has applied to refurbish the bowling alley and transform it into five shops and leisure units.

But city planners will be told to reject the multi-million proposal when they meet tomorrow in a strongly worded officers' report.

A representative of the company said there was no demand for it to be kept as a leisure facility but officers retorted that a potential business for the site approached one of the council's own departments last year.

The building has been empty since Megabowl went into administration and closed down in August 2005.

Officers say the retail park is designated as a "district centre" to serve the eastern expansion area.

About 4,000 new homes are planned for the Llanwern regeneration site which is not far from the former Megabowl.

At the moment, the rear of the building faces the expansion area and any redevelopment would need to address this, added the officers' report.

It accused the proposal of "turning its back" on the proposed residential development.

"Coupled with the inadequate footpath link into the eastern expansion area, the ill-conceived layout of the proposal forms a poor relationship with future residential development," said officers.

Their report also adds that existing recreational and leisure facilities represent an investment for the community but the city's masterplan warned such uses could come under pressure for development.

Johnsey Estates had provided a letter from King Sturge to support the assertion that there was no demand for such leisure facilities, particularly as the building had been vacant for more than two years.

But officers said the council's business section was approached last summer by a potential business looking to occupy the building.

It was considered the company had not "adequately demonstrated" there was no demand.