Newport's former steelworks is to be converted into hundreds of news homes.

Plans have been put forward for the housing and a public park at the former Llanwern steelworks.

The builder Persimmon wants permission to build 311 two, three and four-bedroom houses on the site and in a related application from developer St Modwen it is proposed to complete a £5m access road, which would pave the way for future development of a public park.

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There are long-term hopes to develop 4,000 new homes, library, school and other facilities in the area.

If the initial plans get the go-ahead, work is scheduled to start this summer after developers have spent four years clearing the site.

The old heavy steel-making plant closed with the loss of 1,300 jobs in July 2001, although there is still a finishing mill at Llanwern.

Long-terms plans for the site over the next 20 years would see it transformed into a thriving business and residential community.

The planned £1bn sustainable community will eventually house 4,000 new homes and provide 6,000 new jobs locally, said the developer.

(BMcC/GK)