IMAGES: Coventry's new city centre unveiled

• Increase image
• View all images

Coventry City Council has unveiled plans for a new city centre featuring green spaces, trees and water to replace its tired 1950's design.

The "billion pound plus" 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.

Coventry City Council leader Ken Taylor said: "This is no copycat, clone shopping mall. It's distinctive, quirky and very special, and it will make the centre of Coventry unique again.

The plans have been drawn up by architects The Jerde Partnership following widespread consultation earlier this year by Coventry City Council.  Bulldozers are not expected to start razing the area until at least another two years and further consultation is planned.

Stuart Berriman, partner and design principal of The Jerde Partnership said he believed the consultation process showed "an unprecedented partnership between local people, public and private sectors".

The Jerde masterplan echoes Coventry's medieval heritage, with the line of the city walls echoed through a group of office and residential tower blocks along the outskirts of the shopping centre. Views of the city's historic three spires have also been maintained.

Some of the city's existing squares, designed by the original architect of post war Coventry, Donald Gibson, will be restored and enhanced, with plans for two major anchor stores – including a department store – in key areas of the centre.