The plant has remained empty since it was completed in 1998

Scepticism about a promise of new jobs has been voiced after a high-tech factory was handed back to the Welsh Development Agency having never been opened.

The building of the LG Semiconductor plant in Newport was completed in 1998 and was billed as Europe's biggest ever inward investment.

But hundreds of jobs promised at the site never materialised after a collapse in the semiconductor market ensured that the plant did not start production.

Now the WDA have taken over the responsibility of selling the site in order to create jobs and to recoup �36.6m which was awarded to the owners for the construction of the site.

I think that the people of Newport have moved on from expecting any jobs to be created David Russ, Newport and Gwent Chamber of Commerce

But doubts about any future work opportunities at the site have been raised by people in Newport who have become despondent about the scheme.

David Russ from the Newport and Gwent Chamber of Commerce said that the people of the city had "moved on" from expecting the 1,400 jobs that were promised.

"I think the people feel it would be a bonus if the site was sold and jobs were created," he said.

"The fact that is has gone back to the WDA is a very positive thing and anything that moves it forward is good.

"But it is a pity it didn't happen 12 months ago when there would have been more momentum.

"It is a very particular site which has been designed with the semi conductor market in mind and I think that the WDA have got a very hard task in front of them with a slowing down of that market.

We are going to give it the best possible shot we can to get quality jobs in the area Nick Neal, WDA

"I think that the people of Newport have moved on from expecting any jobs to be created.

Disillusionment

People living in the area have also expressed disillusionment over the future of the plant and the possibility of new jobs in the area.

Doreen Smith whose house overlooks the plant said: "When the jobs didn't materialise people got very disappointed.

"I've got no faith that these jobs will ever come.

"Our house overlooks the LG plant and it is just a big silver blot on then landscape with nobody in it," she added.

But Nick Neal, the WDA's executive director for land development and legal services said: "I hope the people in Newport will be pleased with what we are doing," he said.

"We are going to give it the best possible shot we can to get quality jobs in the area.

"And to get more jobs, it is quite important that the 55-acres adjacent can be developed as a business park."

He said the plans for the development of the surrounding land, handed back from the owners of the Semicon plant in order to wipe more than �6m of the money owed to the WDA, would begin soon.

"I hope there will be a lot of public support and I think that people will believe that this is the best shot we have got," he added.