There are plans to regenerate Newport city centre

Plans to revive Newport's fortunes are up for public consultation with a draft master plan of what developers want to see happen over the next 12 years.

The proposals include giving the city centre a facelift, creating a marina and developing an office district around an improved railway station.

However, the plans are likely to be met with some scepticism from people living in and around the city after a barrage of employment disappointments over recent years.

Newport, a traditional unemployment black spot, has been rocked by a number of job cuts including several cuts at the Llanwern steelworks in 2001.

And many people are still angry that a promise by electronics giant LG to create 6,000 high-tech jobs after getting a �220m grant, was not kept.

It was billed as one of Europe's biggest inward investments and people were promised that it would revive Newport - but the jobs never materialised.

In an effort to revive the flagging fortunes of the city, a plan has been drawn up for the redevelopment of the area.

Developers, DTZ, believe that the proposals could lead to 3,800 new jobs being created over the next 12 years.

Commissioned by Newport Unlimited - the city's urban regeneration company - a draft plan has been made available and is on display for people to give their opinion on.

The proposals include details of developing:

• The river front area for arts and entertainment
• Renovating Kingsway Centre and the city centre
• Creating office space around an improved railway station
• New housing and employment opportunities throughout the city
• Developing a marina complete with shops, homes and businesses in Crindau

"It is about reconnecting communities with the city centre and we believe central Newport has under performed in terms of developing new business over the last 20-years.

"This new plan could see a number of jobs being created as new businesses are given the opportunity in the city centre.

"We have had a very positive response from people who have made suggestions about the plans and we intend to address these points in our master plan which we hope will be ready in the new year," he added.