WORK to complete a regeneration project to boost the redevelopment of a former 19th century dock in Newport is under way.

Regeneration company Newport Unlimited is investing £600,000 in preparing the final ten acres of Old Town Dock, landscaping the dock edge.

It is hoped that the scheme will make the land as attractive to developers as possible.

Interest has already been expressed in the site by a number of different developers, according to the organisation.

Newport Unlimited says this is likely to intensify after the Queensberry’s Friar’s Walk scheme got planning consent.

Hamish Munro, head of regeneration at the group, said: “We’re keen to make the land as attractive to developers as possible, which is why we are investing in these infrastructure works, so that development can pretty much start as soon as contracts are exchanged.”

“The fact that the nearby Friar’s Walk retail scheme was recently granted planning consent has added further strength to the potential of the site.”

Since 2004 the area has been transformed with a £200 million redevelopment programme with residential developments and a riverside park.

The area – originally known as Town Dock – was built in 1842 taking coal from the Brecon and Monmouthshire Canal and shipping it around the world. The dock was filled in in 1930.

It is expected that the work will be finished in June.