NEWPORT City Homes has made its first major land purchase, buying 10 acres in Old Town Dock, Newport with plans to potentially build “at least 150 homes” and “completely revitalise the area”.

The site, between Usk Way and East Docks Road, forms part of the Old Town Dock development scheme and already has planning permission for housing, retail, leisure and office space.

The executive director of operations at Newport City Homes, Robert Lynbeck, said: “These are exciting times for us. This is our first major land purchase and signals our intention to become the social and physical regeneration vehicle for Newport and south east Wales.

“The Old Town Dock site is prime land within the heart of the city. It is surrounded by opportunity and has huge potential. While we are a few years away from starting work on site, this area of land could easily see us build at least 150 homes.

“However, before we decide exactly how we will use this land, we will consult with all our stakeholders to ensure we deliver the development that this city needs.”

Old Town Dock is the latest in a line of regeneration plans by Newport City Homes. The social housing provider is currently delivering a £7.9m scheme in Pillgwenlly and a £1.9m scheme in Bettws and has also recently submitted a planning application for a multi-million pound regeneration of the Ringland area of Newport.

Board chairwoman Nicola Somerville said: “Our core purpose is to create homes in communities in which people want to live. It’s the cornerstone for all our work. The Old Town Dock has massive potential and we are confident that this project will completely revitalise the area.”

A spokeswoman for the housing association said that, during 2018, they will be working on the master planning exercise with stakeholders and the local community to determine the appropriate design and layout for the development prior to submitting a planning application in 2019.

The Old Town Dock was built in 1842 and shipped coal around the world from the Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal. The reclamation of the site was one of the first projects undertaken by Newport Unlimited, an urban regeneration company set up by Newport City Council and the Welsh Government in 2002 to drive the long term revival of the city’s fortunes.

Several joint ventures were undertaken through Newport Unlimited with the aim of regeneration, including the development of Old Town Dock and the renting out of Alacrity House on the riverfront, as a business hub