A blueprint for a new city centre for Coventry has been unveiled following a consultation exercise with local people.

The billion pound plus comprehensive plan is likely to see a mix of uses including residential, retail, leisure and community. The new city centre could include green parks and open spaces in the middle of the city on top of new shops, a waterway following the path of the River Sherbourne through the middle of a new shopping centre with a new library at the heart of the groundbreaking design.

The plans have been drawn up by architects The Jerde Partnership following widespread consultation earlier this year by Coventry City Council which saw nearly two thousand people tell the architects what they wanted to see in their new city centre. Their views formed the brief for the design of the masterplan which has now been published ahead of a further consultation period.

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Cllr Ken Taylor, Leader of Coventry City Council said: "The people of Coventry have been firmly in the driving seat during these early stages and they have been very clear about what they want in their new city centre - green spaces, an understanding of our great history and a pleasant environment that's easy to walk around and get to places. I think Jerde has delivered all this - and more - and I'm delighted with the way our ideas have been translated into this vision. People urged us to be bold in our plans, and I don't think we have disappointed them.

"This is no copycat, clone shopping mall. It's distinctive, quirky and very special, and it will make the centre of Coventry unique again. Throughout our history we've reinvented ourselves to meet new challenges - a new city centre will see us transforming ourselves once again to be one of the country's most important and successful cities. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity and we must make it happen."

Stuart Berriman, Partner and Design Principal of The Jerde Partnership said: "I've worked on urban revitalisation projects throughout the world and it has been really rewarding to take part in what I believe is an unprecedented partnership between local people, public and private sectors. Even before any drawings had been completed, the Council had received nearly two thousands comments from the public. The level of engagement shows the commitment everyone has to recapture the unique essence of the city."

The masterplan has been funded by key landowners and retail developers in the city centre including owners of West Orchards Shopping Centre, Modus, Coventry Urban Regeneration Ltd and Morley. Private sector investment is expected to fund the overall regeneration of the centre.

(CD/JM)