Developer hopeful of Newport project progress

The company behind a £60m redevelopment of a former supermarket site in Newport is “hopeful” it can begin work shortly following a series of delays.Fear Group’s proposals for the site include seven multi-storey blocks including a 601-bedroom student village, 144 homes, and an 84 bedroom four-star hotel.Health facilities, including an 800 sq ft pharmacy, are also planned along with a convenience store and restaurant.The company said it had been preparing to begin demolition earlier this year but was informed by the council that further bat surveys were required.It now requires a government licence to demolish the building. The group is “hopeful that this will be granted shortly and that ?nally we can get this eyesore building demolished to make way for development.”The development previously suffered a setback when a fire broke out at the former Sainsbury’s supermarket in July 2016.