PROPOSALS for the £150 million revamp of Newport city centre look set to be approved by council planners next week.

The Modus Corovest plans for the regeneration of Kingsway, Upper Dock Street, John Frost Square and the bus station is a council-backed scheme - the central part of Newport's redevelopment.

If approved, the Modus plans will pave the way for new shops, including a flagship national department store, restaurants, a health club, multi-screen cinema, residential flats and a new bus station.

Developers hope to start work early next year and aim to have the centre open for shoppers by 2009.

A high-rise tower block with some 120 flats will transform the city skyline, and a riverside hotel will provide the frontage of the scheme.

The bus station will be reduced in size and completely remodelled, with 15 bus bays and a new semi-enclosed 'airport'-style concourse.

A three-level galleria will curve away from the bus station, and contain a cinema, bars, restaurants and shops including the department store.

John Frost Square is to be reduced in size, linking up with the Kingsway Centre, which is also to be redeveloped under a different scheme.

Upper Dock Street will link Corn Street and John Frost Square, and will have new shop frontages with residential space above the shops.

Planners are to consider the application on Wednesday, and officers have recommended that the scheme is approved with a number of conditions, including conditions to reduce the impact of construction on local people and the environment, and the drawing up of a plan for existing local artwork.