PLANS to demolish 12 Newport flats in a bid to stamp out crime on a deprived Newport estate now have the green light.

Two blocks of flats in Broadmead Park, Lliswerry, are to be demolished in a bid to open up the estate and rid it of the rat-runs which locals say foster crime and anti-social behaviour.

The demolition of 25 to 30 Broadmead Park and 15 to 20 Longmeadow Court will allow the long-awaited start of a scheme to regenerate the Broadmead/Moorland Park estate.

Demolition will cost the council £140,000 and the 10 current tenants will each get £4,000 compensation and priority for new accommodation.

One of the residents, Diane Seitner, 60, of Broadmead Park, said: "I fully support the regeneration but it was a bit of a surprise to hear we'd be the first to go.

"I expect we'll be rehoused within the next couple of months."

Newport council hopes crime levels will fall as a result of the regeneration.

A report in 2004 concluded the design of the estate was a major contributing factor to outbreaks of severe anti-social behaviour and said major works would be necessary for the estate to become a desirable and safe place to live.

Taking down these blocks will allow better access to the central green area planned for the estate, as well as the planned community centre.

The council also says the work will improve the Longmeadow sheltered housing complex by providing private access and parking facilities and removing the long term empty properties.

Councillors and community workers have welcomed the move, saying it will help drive out deprivation.

Local councillor Allan Morris said: "This is a major step forward, both for the living environment and the reduction of anti-social behaviour."

He said the estate's current design encouraged crime through rat runs and alleyways.