AN HISTORIC Cwmbran mill is set to become a major tourist attraction. Torfaen planners this week approved an outline application to develop a visitor centre at the Grade II listed Llanyravon Mill.

The Friends of Llanyravon Mill hope the application will be the first step towards attracting hundreds of visitors to the corn mill, which is thought to date from the 14th century.

Chairman of the group Sylvan Jenkins, 72, said it was great news for the group. "We are very pleased we are getting some progress," he said.

"What we want to achieve is a fully working mill with events to attract visitors. It is important that the mill is restored for the people of Cwmbran, and the wheel is turning again."

At the moment the mill is only occasionally open to the public, with Friends volunteering to give guided tours.

Llanyravon community councillor and Friend Graham Welsh said: "This is something we have been waiting for for a long time. We only open on bank holidays, and that is a tragedy. Soon we will be open regularly."

Full plans have yet to be submitted to the council, but the Friends hope to expand the grounds and car park and build a reception area, making it a permanent attraction.

A spokesman for the Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust welcomed the proposals.

He said: "The mill is an historic structure and we welcome any measures that will enable it to be presented to the public.

"There is a possibility that the development of a visitor centre could reveal features associated not only with the present mill, but also any predecessors on the site."