WORK to redevelop Newport’s 1970s Cambrian Centre could start this summer.

Scarborough Development Group (Newport) Ltd has applied to demolish part of the shopping centre and adjoining car park.

If permission is granted by the city council work could start in June.

A report to city planners says the car park would be dismantled and materials will be removed and recycled into sand and gravel for use in the construction industry.

The demolition would mark the start of the site’s regeneration, which could see eventually see a seven-storey office block, shops and a hotel built.

Plans put forward by the developer for the scheme are expected to go before Newport’s planning committee shortly.

They includes proposals for a high-rise office block near Queensway and Railway Street, which is expected to house staff from insurance firm Admiral, currently based at Langstone Business Park.

Under the plans a 358-space car park could be built, existing shops on Cambrian Road would be retained and additional shop space totalling 7,500 sq ft could be added.

A walkway connecting Queensway and Cambrian Road could also be built ahead of stage two of the scheme, which could see more shops and offices and even a hotel built.

The long-awaited plans come after two previous bids to transform the declining centre were scrapped because of the recession and fears they were no longer viable.

Scarborough Development Group ditched proposals to demolish it to build a large food store, two shops, offices, a bus interchange and more than 500 parking spaces, last year, after struggling to attract interest from a supermarket chain.

Earlier in 2008 Modus Properties scrapped its 29-storey City Spires project after it went into administration.