THIS IS the first image of a £15m new development for Cwmbran which will bring 200 jobs.

Two major leisure companies are poised to run key parts of the town centre, the firm behind it says.

John Ives, director of Mint Blue, the Cardiff-based developers behind the scheme, said the project would change the face of Cwmbran and usher in a new era for the town.

We revealed how plans were submitted last week for a major leisure complex in the centre of Cwmbran which will include an eight-screen cinema, bowling alley, bar and night club and at least four top-name restaurants.

Mr Ives said the complex on the site of a former car park at St David's Road near the centre for young people was attractively designed, and would be linked to the rest of the town centre by a walkway.

National leisure company Bowlplex are behind the plans for the 30,000 sq ft bowling alley.

The company already owns 16 complexes across the UK. A spokeswoman said the 24-lane bowling alley would create 40 new jobs. And Mr Ives confirmed a named cinema operator is "virtually signed up" to the project. View Entertainment is set to operate the site's eight-screen cinema.

The site will also include at least four top-name restaurants, a night club and a bar.

"Hopefully the plans will be approved by Christmas, we will be on site by Easter, and the complex will open for business in autumn of 2007," Mr Ives said.

"We're delighted to be moving forward - this project should bring the town to life in the evenings.

"It's rare such a development comes to a town centre, and this scheme is the first step in a major regeneration of Cwmbran."

Earlier this year Torfaen council bosses revealed their blueprint for the regeneration of Cwmbran, which they are confident will attract £100 million in private investment over the next decade.

Torfaen council's leader, Councillor Bob Wellington said Mint Blue's leisure complex project would form a major part of those plans.

He said: "This will mark the start of a huge regeneration programme. This is just what Cwmbran needs to make it a thriving town centre, as well as the excellent shopping destination it already is."