Celtic Manor convention centre plan gets green light

President Barak Obama is among the world leaders attending the Nato summit in September

Plans for an international convention centre at the Celtic Manor Resort near Newport have been approved by councillors.

The new Wales International Convention Centre is set to create 150 extra jobs once it is complete.

The resort, owned by billionaire Sir Terry Matthews, will host the Nato summit in September.

The 30,000 sq m (322,917 sq ft) centre will be built over three floors on land next to junction 24 of the M4.

It will have a main auditorium and an exhibition hall to cater for up to 4,000 delegates, as well as a new 1,800-space multi-story car park.

The Welsh government has said it will match fund the project's initial stage.

A report detailing the plans had said the centre would enhance the reputation of the Celtic Manor Resort and Newport as a whole.

Proposals for a convention centre in Cardiff are also progressing after councillors agreed to allow a procurement plan to be drawn up for a 1,500-delegate centre as part of a 12,000-seat indoor arena.