A SCULPTURE made of huge mounds of earth could form a dramatic "southern gateway" to Newport.

The artwork, designed by a top international artist, would mark the entrance to a newly regenerated £175m Old Town Dock area.

Regeneration experts hope that turning derelict factories and land into a new hotel, offices, flats and restaurants will revitalise Newport.

They also want to create a flagship riverside park for the everyone in the city to enjoy - complete with skatepark, play areas and cycle paths.

The ambitious vision is part of Newport Unlimited's master plan to create more jobs, homes and a better environment in the city by 2020.

David Ward, director of planning and strategy at Newport Unlimited, said: "This area has huge potential that we want to help unlock.

"The riverside park will be a huge asset for Newport and there's significant pent-up demand for the type of one and two- bedroomed flats that we hope will be built.

"It's very important that this redevelopment is not seen as a separate community from Pill. We want existing residents to use the shops, restaurants and park."

The plans, which are on display in Pill Millennium Centre, also feature a series of water basins to act as a focus for homes and restaurants.

They include:

* a riverside park that helps create a pedestrian link between George Street Bridge and the Transporter Bridge. The earth sculpture would be designed by artist Richard Harris.

* 1,500 houses and flats, including homes for for first-time buyers, students, key workers and pensioners.

* an 80-bed hotel at the southern end of Usk Way, which will be widened to four lanes and treated as an "urban boulevard".

* the Maltings Building to be renovated for leisure use.

* Offices near George Street Bridge. New shops and restaurants focussed on Jack's Pill, the new water basin and the Old Lock.

* ample car parking for new homeowners and park users.

Councillor Ron Jones, of the Pill ward, said: "The sooner all this goes ahead, the better.

"Once that area is redeveloped it will put some self-esteem back into Pill.

"It also ties in well with the renovation of historic buildings in Lower Dock Street."

Newport Unlimited hopes the plans will become a guide for the council, and can then attract the backing of developers.

Mr Ward said the nearby Southern Distributor Road would help open the area up and would be a major strength. Building work on the first phase of housing could start at the end of 2005.

Adam Ames, a leisure adviser, 20, of Allt-Yr-Yn, Newport, said: "As long as it goes ahead it's very welcome. Pill needs a new face. But I hope it's not getting people's hopes up to let them down.

"The plans look impressive but the Usk isn't the prettiest river when the tide is out. I'm not sure I'd want a flat overlooking it.

"The park is a great idea."

Shelly Fowler, 25, of Marion Place, Pill, said: "It would definitely be a huge improvement on what's there now. Considering we are a city we've got nothing to show for it.

"Cardiff has Cardiff Bay. This could do the same for Newport. It'd give Pill people more to do, particularly for the youngsters. I'd like a new school to go on the site."

* The public can comment on the plans at an exhibition at The Pill Millennium Centre until Friday, October 15.

It will then move to Newport central library between Monday, October 18, and Friday, October 29.