RESIDENTS were able to view plans for the redevelopment of a key area of Newport for the first time yesterday.

Ambitious proposals for Rodney Parade include the raising of the riverbank to provide flood protection, several hundred new apartments and a riverside walk. There will also be a public plaza and a retail area.

Officials from the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) were at the exhibition in Maindee School to explain what will be happening.

The scheme is one of the major projects put forward by Newport Unlimited as part of the regeneration of the city in conjunction with the WDA and Newport city council.

A number of derelict buildings were bought and demolished to make way for the scheme, which organisers hope to make a start on early next year - if there are no objections from the public.

There are some remaining buildings to be bought under a compulsory purchase order. WDA officials say they have reached satisfactory terms with the owners of these buildings.

But concerns have been raised over how the infrastructure of the area would cope with the new apartment blocks.

Harry Williams, of Grafton Road, who visited the exhibition to find out more, said: "I'd like to know how they're going to manage all this traffic.

"It seems like it could be a bit chaotic, with all these new flats being put in."

Senior land manager at the WDA Stan Edwards said: "The main aim of these plans is regeneration, and to increase protection against flooding.

"There are over 4,000 homes that would be at risk if we did not build the flood defences.

"The apartments will hopefully mean the project pays for itself.

"We are hoping there will be no objections - this is why we're having this exhibition, to let people know what we're doing."

He said most people had a positive reaction to the plans, which are still on show at Maindee Primary School between 11am and 7pm today.