NEW life could soon be breathed into dilapidated and boarded up buildings in Pill thanks to a proposed regeneration project.

Locals have complained about the shabby look of the area and are demanding action to spruce up tired looking shops and houses.

The city council has pledged to spend £500,000 on compulsory purchasing and refurbishing derelict and run down properties with a large chunk of the cash being spent in Pill.

And they are drawing up a proposal to boost the area but have not yet decided how much to spend or what needs to be done.

Councillor Paul Cockeram, cabinet member for adult and housing services, said: "We are currently considering a regeneration study in Pillgwenlly; however, a decision has yet to be made and full consultation would take place on this.

"We have set aside £500,000 for our empty properties strategy. This will target empty properties throughout Newport, but particularly in Pillgwenlly, which has the highest number of empty properties in Newport. We have also published a brochure entitled 'Advice for owners of empty properties in Newport'.

"In this, we offer help and advice to local people with empty houses and shops on how to tackle the problems that they face.

"However, the city council has a policy against empty properties, and owners of empty properties should be discussing with the council how they can bring the properties back into use."

Councillor Laura Buchanan-Smith, who represents the area, said it needed desperate attention.

"It needs a complete uplift," she said. "If we don't get it right this time we will never get it right. People have waited long enough for this.

"I think its absolutely disgusting that it's been allowed to get to this stage so we've got to move on this now."

Mike Waldron, Communities First development worker for the area, welcomed news of the proposed investment.

"We desperately need to see money spent on Commercial Street," he said. "There needs to be consultation with the community to see what they want."