Ambitious plans to regenerate the former Ebbw Vale steelworks site have been approved by planning officials.

Part of the Welsh Assembly’s sustainable development agenda, the 185-acre site will include a 12,500sq m (sq ft) of space dedicated to leisure, including restaurants, bars and cafés.

Called The Works, the development will also include a theatre, a leisure centre, sports pitches and a wetland park education centre.

The site will be developed in partnership with the Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and the Welsh Assembly Government, and there will also be a 107-bed hospital, a primary school, 720 homes and 60,413sq m of business and office space.

It is estimated it will take up to 10 years to complete with 2,000 people working on the development.

Ieuan Wyn Jones, minister for the Economy and Transport, said The Works would have a profound impact on revitalising the region.

“The speed with which the site is being brought to market is commendable and an outstanding example of public and private sector organisations working together to bring new life to Ebbw Vale and regenerate a community,” he said.

John Hopkins, chair of the steelworks project partnership and leader of Blaenau Gwent Council, said: “The approval of the planning application for The Works opens the door to the development becoming a reality.

“Investors and funding bodies will be able to look with confidence on the project, and we will be able to continue to drive forward the regeneration of Blaenau Gwent and the Heads of the Valleys region at the same urgent pace, and with the same far-reaching ambition that has characterised the work so far.”

According to the council, the site will be developed to an overarching framework of social, economic and environmental objectives.

These include ambitious energy targets, social clauses contract and significant biodiversity benefits.

The work now continues at a pace with the first phase of land earmarked for residential development going on the market in the autumn.

Savills has been appointed as development consultants and marketing agents for the redevelopment of the site.