The community consultation period, which began yesterday at Rodney Parade, allows the local community to contribute to the proposal before the planning application is submitted to the City Council in the spring.
Jenkins met with the community on Monday evening at Rodney Parade and said, “It’s good news that we are moving to the next stage of the regeneration process.
“We will take the feedback from the local community on board before submitting the planning application. The project is exciting and ambitious and will produce a great venue for the Dragons and Newport teams over the coming years.”
In September the Dragons announced plans to redevelop Rodney Parade in time for the start of the 2010 season. The £40m pound plan will see capacity rise from ten to 15 thousand.
The stadium redevelopment is a joint venture between Newport City Council, Newport Gwent Dragons, Newport RFC, the Welsh Rugby Union and developer Edward Ware, consultants Gleeds and architects S&P, and will be funded by a mixture of residential, retail, student and hotel developments on the existing Rodney Parade site.
Councillor Bob Bright, leader of Newport City Council, commented: “We firmly believe that the future of rugby belongs in the centre of the city, and I am delighted to see that excellent progress is being made on the plans for a new stadium on Rodney Parade.
“Of course, the process must first go through the appropriate planning procedures and any decision will be taken objectively by the committee at the appropriate time.
“However, it is vital that the local community is closely involved at the early stages of the planning process and get the chance to have their views heard and taken on board.”
