A £175 million transformation of the run-down Old Town Dock area could kickstart the regeneration of Newport.

Visionary plans for the area include a new hotel, offices, flats and restaurants - all positioned around a new water basin.

A riverside park with skateboard ramps, cycleways and a new work of art by a top international artist are also being suggested.

Regeneration company Newport Unlimited has picked the area of Pill to lead the redevelopment of the city.

Its master plan for Newport aims to create more jobs, homes and a better environment in the city by 2020.

Graham Moore, chief executive of Newport Unlimited, said: "We want to bring this area back into good use and make it the southern gateway to the city. At 30 acres it's a big area with massive potential.

"Work will start shortly on a land reclamation scheme and then we intend to promote development.

"When the Southern Distributor Road opens this whole area will have superb infrastructure and will be a great opportunity for developers."

He said building work on the first phase of housing could start at the end of 2005.

Urban designers want to build a riverside park from the George Street Bridge to the Transporter Bridge to 'seamlessly link' Pill with the city centre.

Other plans include: l 1,500 homes. Including flats for for students, key workers and pensioners.

l shops, bars and cafes concentrated around Jack's Pill, the new water basin and the Old Lock.

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

l the Maltings Building to be renovated for leisure use. Offices near George Street Bridge.

Waterfront redevelopments have helped transform many cities in the UK, including Cardiff, Swansea and Newcastle.

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

It will then move to Newport central library for another fortnight, from Monday October 18 to Friday October 29.

After that Newport Unlimited may amend the draft before passing it to the council.