EXCITING proposals to bring a massive department store to Newport city centre go before planners next week.

The department store is part of a £100 million scheme to transform the city centre - bringing new shops, extra car parking and more leisure facilities.

Proposals for the radical transformation of the Kingsway Centre and part of John Frost Square - exclusively revealed in the Argus last year - are due to be discussed by the council's planning committee on Wednesday.

The scheme includes:

* a city centre supermarket;

* hotel;

* apartments;

* increased car parking spaces and;

* leisure facilities.

When the ambitious project was revealed last autumn, Newport city council said the announcement followed a year of detailed negotiations. But developers and Newport council have so far refused to reveal which major high street name will occupy the department store.

The redevelopment will see a doubling of the Kingsway Shopping Centre.

The Kingsway and Capitol car parks are due to be demolished and replaced with a car park with 1,370 spaces.

It will also open the city centre to the riverfront with pedestrian access to the leisure centre and new arts centre.

If the councillors approve the planning application by private developer Rhys (Newport) limited work is scheduled to start on site this autumn and expected to be completed two years later.

The scheme was welcomed by the council who said it would transform the heart of the city centre.

Managing director Chris Freeguard told the Argus last year: "It is not about trying to keep up with Cardiff, it's about providing the best for Newport.

"This will create a first- class city centre for the 21st century, we will be providing better shopping facilities and at least 100 extra car parking spaces operating at full capacity."