CONSULTANTS drawing up a masterplan to redevelop the Ebbw Vale Corus site (pictured) want it to become an extension of the town centre.

And they say the plans for the vast site, where the tinplate works shut in July after more than 200 years in operation, could also strengthen the town's commercial life.

The main features of the draft masterplan, which goes on show to the public next week, are: l A new community hospital. l A post-16 learning centre. l A new park through the site from the town centre and Festival Park. l A business area on the south side of the site. l Formal landscaped areas and residential areas.

The draft also explores possible routes for a new passenger rail service from the town to Newport and Cardiff - and plans for the new station at Victoria.

The Argus is running a high-profile campaign to open the link with Newport at the same time as the Cardiff link in 2005, instead of two years later.

Now all the proposals go on show in a public exhibition on Monday for a fortnight. Consultants Llewellyn-Davies said yesterday these were not final proposals or finished plans - but a chance for residents to help shape the development. A final document is due to be produced in January.

Simon Gray, project director with Llewellyn-Davies, said: "We want as many people as possible to let us know what they think and what they would like to see on the site."

The exhibition explains what the mix of uses on the site is likely to be - and what sort of place the masterplan aims to create. Key challenges include:

l Finding the best way of creating better links between the Heads of the Valleys Road and the lower valley, and where any improved link might go. l Using new developments on the site to link the various parts of the valley together.

As well as the proposed park running through the site, options for using the river and water as major features within the site are also being considered.

Peter Slater, Blaenau Gwent council's director of environment and development, said agreeing a masterplan was the "important first step".

Blaenau Gwent council is paying £15,000 towards the masterplan, with the remainder being funded by Corus and the WDA.

*The exhibition can be visited between 9am and 5pm every weekday from Monday until Friday, November 29, at the civic centre in Ebbw Vale. Questionnaires will be available.