Plans for a 65m (213ft) Welsh dragon landmark between Llangollen and Wrexham, North Wales, have been handed a boost by the local authority.

The Frank Wingett Cancer Appeal, which is behind the Waking the Dragon project, has been granted an option on the proposed site by Wrexham County Borough Council's (WCBC) executive board. A business plan for the development - comprising a 25m (82ft) bronze dragon sculpture sitting on top of a 40m (131ft) tower - is now expected to be drawn up in order to move the scheme forward

A WCBC spokesperson said: "The executive board agreed an option for the land to the project developer. This will allow the developer to put together a business plan and plans to the planning department. "If and when the project moves forward, WCBC would have to satisfy itself that the developer has a sound business model to ensure completion before any decision on the land would be taken."

Businessman Simon Wingett - chair of the Frank Wingett Cancer Appeal - has devised the Waking the Dragon concept, which will also include a new cultural centre featuring an art gallery, a 100-seat café/bar and a 125-seat Mabinogion destination restaurant. Education and learning space and language study facilities also form part of Wingett's proposals, which are expected to cost £9m and could also include a new museum, while any profits would go to the charity.