Plans for a new building to host dog shows and other events at Chepstow Racecourse have been lodged with Monmouthshire County Council.

The racecourse, in a joint venture with the Kennel Club, submitted the plans for the facility, which will replace a disused grandstand.

The plans for a new versatile building on the site of the current North Stand are subject to approval by MCC and the Kennel Club membership.

If approved, the Kennel Club will be negotiating a long-term lease and building a facility on site, which will have at least 1,000 square metres of open space, as well as seminar, meeting rooms and catering facilities and will be for joint use by both parties.

The Kennel Club is planning to use the facility for canine activities, including dog shows and dog training classes, with it acting as the organisation’s Wales and the West Canine Centre.

On racedays the new facility will hold up to 2,000 people and provide much-needed extra capacity at the racecourse.

On non-racedays it will have the potential to be used for a range of activities including trade shows, conferences, exhibitions and private parties.

It is anticipated that the extra capacity the Kennel Club facility will provide will have a positive economic impact on the local area.

It is expected to create at least two full time jobs plus many more part-time/casual positions.

It is expected that hotels, B&Bs, restaurants and shops in Chepstow will have more demand for services given increased visitor numbers to the region.

The construction phase of the project will also see a number of jobs created.

Chepstow Racecourse presented the proposals to MCC in February and have now submitted a formal application for planning permission.

If the project is approved, it is anticipated that building could start in autumn 2016 with the new facility open from summer 2017.

Executive director of Chepstow Racecourse Phil Bell said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Kennel Club to provide an exciting multipurpose facility for the region.

"As an integral part of the local community, we are really pleased to be making this application to provide a large indoor space for use by both those taking part in Kennel Club events and the racecourse.

"The racecourse already hosts a significant number of events on non-racing days and this facility means we will be able to extend this side of our business.”

The Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko said: “We wanted to create a new facility which would be in a suitable location for dog owners throughout the country, as well as offering the organisation flexibility over how it was used.

"We believe the plans we have developed in partnership with Chepstow Racecourse will achieve both of these things.”

The Welsh Kennel Club Secretary Graham Hill said: “This facility located in Chepstow provides a much-needed canine venue for South and Mid Wales and the West Country and further afield. The new building together with the other facilities available at Chepstow Racecourse make it a convenient venue for all types of canine activities as it is located with easy motorway access from all areas.”