WORK on Newport's £48 million Rodney Parade waterfront development scheme is due to begin this week.

The project includes the regeneration of the waterfront site, the creation of a pedestrian promenade along the riverside and major improvements to the riverside defences.

The plan is to create a new riverside community of 486 residential properties, including affordable homes, together with local shops and restaurants.

A scenic riverside walk will link Newport City Footbridge to Clarence Place and Corporation Road and about a quarter of the site will be public open space.

Infrastructure work will be undertaken by Taylor Wimpey UK and follows the approval of a compulsory purchase order by Assembly minister Ieuan Wyn Jones.

It includes the rebuilding of a length of a number of rear garden walls and the demolition of five garages which will be replaced nearby.

John Burrows, Chief Executive of Newport Unlimited said the Rodney Parade development was set to play a key part in the regeneration of the city.

He said: "It will provide an impressive façade to the River Usk and help create a vibrant waterfront area, where people will want to live, work and relax."

Council leader Bob Bright said: "The Rodney Parade area is a key site in our plans to reunite the centre of Newport with the Usk and the development we have approved features high quality design and sustainability which is fundamental to all our redevelopment plans across the city."