A MAJOR superstore is earmarked for a former car park site in Pontypool, as the centrepiece of a regeneration of the town.

Torfaen county borough council is in talks with the leading supermarket chains to find a new occupier for the top car park above the civic centre.

It hopes one will build a giant store similar to the Asda redevelopment in Cwmbran, with the addition of a petrol station and other facilities.

Duncan Smith, assistant director for economic development and environmental management, said: "We are looking at the potentiality of a supermarket on the top site. There is a new developer in place, Centros Miller, who is working up a new proposal for the site. We had objections from people living in the flats close by, but now our bid has been approved and over the next nine months we should be working up to a planning application."

Original plans for the two sites were under threat of falling through last year, after the first developers went bust.

An application for a compulsory purchase order (CPO), giving the council the power to buy any properties or land in the area needed for development, was also turned down by the Welsh Office in May 2000.

But two months ago the decision was overturned and the CPO allowed. Now the authority will buy the car park and a house in Lower Bridge Street, after negotiations with the resident have been finalised.

A second CPO sought by the Welsh Development Agency had previously been approved for land surrounding the Crane Street car park.

The embankments either side and yards to the rear of a property in George Street are included in the order.

There, the council hope to create a new retail area, with six to eight individual units, although tenants have yet to be found.

Mr Smith added: "We are talking to well-known supermarket chains for the top car park site and well-known high street traders as to taking up the Crane Street development. They are the pivot around which the regeneration of Pontypool will take place.

"Making sure that we get good new modern floor space in there is going to be the largest element in retaining and enhancing its shopping position."

Other plans for the town will be a new Wetherspoon's pub, for which the planning application is about to be considered, and a revamp of the Hypervalue building, which will be used by the council.