A JOBS and leisure bonanza could soon be heading Neath and Port Talbot's way after a multi-million pound blueprint for the future was given the council's seal of approval.

The authority is pulling together the various large- scale projects it has proposed for the county's waterfront areas, stretching from Jersey Marine in the west to Margam Park in the east.

It wants to show it has an overarching strategy for the waterfront zone rather than a series of competing projects, to help it secure European and other grants as well as financial backing from investors and developers.

The draft Neath Port Talbot Waterfront Regeneration Strategy was yesterday approved by councillors and will go out for public consultation.

Head of regeneration Gareth Nutt said: "The aim of the strategy is to pull together six themes to give us a coherent view and coherent way forward, so we have sites and projects that are complementary and not competing."

Those themes include regenerating Port Talbot town centre; two strategic regeneration sites at Coed Darcy and Baglan Bay; and strategic employment opportunities at Baglan Energy Park, Fabian Way, the Neath Estuary and the route of Port Talbot's peripheral distributor road.

Another is tourism, with Margam Park, Aberavon Beach and historic Brunel Dock in Briton Ferry identified for development.

Town centre, housing and environmental improvements all figure in the strategy, as well as strategic transport projects, public transport initiatives and a new rail freight terminal — giving local industry and employment a big boost.

Mr Nutt said the various proposals were at different stages of development and would be the subject of individual plans.

He added: "Having an overarching strategy means we can go forward for grant and private investment opportunities."

Council leader Ali Thomas said: "This sets out an exciting agenda for the regeneration of Neath Port Talbot's waterfront.

"The strategy will help draw additional investment and grant funding into the area, creating job opportunities and stimulating economic growth."