WATERFRONT apartments of the type never before seen in Newport are to be built in the city in a £20 million development set to revamp the Old Town Dock site.

The exciting development is the latest in a number of regeneration schemes breathing new life into the riverside as part of Newport's "urban renaissance".

Those backing the project, earmarked for the once-derelict Old Town Dock site, said the announcement brings the transformation of Newport into a vibrant city one step closer.

Each of the 151 one- and two-bedroom apartments will have its own balcony with views over the River Usk.

The developers hope to create an "enviable" living environment, with the attractive buildings surrounded by landscaping and water features. It is to be the first phase of a new riverside park, and work is due to begin on site in June 2006 and is expected to take between 18 months to two years to complete.

A preferred developer for the Old Town Dock site, Bristol-based Westmark, was announced this week.

Councillor Bob Bright, leader of Newport city council, said: "This will create a bold new housing product that will ticipate in, and benefit from, the urban renaissance under way in central Newport."

Graham Moore, chief executive of Newport Unlimited, said it would set a new quality benchmark for future phases of development in Old Town Dock and Newport as a whole.

Inspiration for the placement of the apartments and the proposed landscape detail came from the wharfs and jetties that made up the former Old Town Dock.

The announcement is the latest in a series of developments planned to regenerate the waterfront, including apartments on the now-cleared site near Town Bridge and a £5 million office block on land near George Street Bridge, which will also house a new magistrates court. Construction of a new footbridge crossing the river is under way.

Old Town Dock is an 18- hectare area of derelict land that stretches from George Street in the north to the City Bridge in the south. It is proposed to convert it into a new 'southern gateway' neighbourhood with 1,500 houses and flats, a business district, 80-room hotel, shops, restaurants, bars and cafs.

There will also be a riverside park with playing-fields, cycle paths and skateboard areas.