Gloucester City Council's Cabinet has given the go-ahead for the city's new-look Kings Quarter.

Now the work will begin to appoint a team of planning experts to develop the Kings Quarter scheme in detail. Following public consultation, the scheme will no longer be retail-led, but a mixed use development.

This will include a replacement car park, residential elements, a hotel and bars and restaurants to complement those already in the city centre and the Quays. The final mix will depend on market demand. Kings Square will be refurbished but will remain as a public space, as shown in the artist's impressions.

Cllr Paul James, Leader of Gloucester City Council, said: "I am pleased that our approach has been endorsed by Cabinet and the Regeneration Advisory Board. Our decision to appoint a team of experts to work up the detail of a planning application is an important step and a major commitment. I know there will be a good deal of scepticism from some people because they have been let down in the past by developers who have failed to deliver, but we are keeping control of this project and driving it forward ourselves. This is the best way to ensure that it is delivered and is the right scheme for Gloucester.

"I have been consistent in saying I want to maintain momentum and have the next phase on site as soon as possible after the bus station is completed next August. That is very much still the plan. We have taken on board the public comments we received last summer, including the wish to see Kings Square remain as an open space, but there will be further opportunities for people in Gloucester to give their views as the detailed plans are developed."

Cllr Jeremy Hilton, Leader of the Liberal Democrats at Gloucester City Council, said: "It has taken some time, but at last we have a plan for the Kings Quarter that replaces the defunct retail-led scheme. Liberal Democrats had long called for a plan B, when it was obvious the original scheme was going nowhere. I welcome the new plan drawn up by the council's consultants, which will be a genuine mixed use scheme.

"I am pleased that we shall retain King's Square as a public open space and that it will not be built on, as was the case in the original retail-led scheme. However, there is still a lot of design work to do in making sure that the refurbished square is something we can all be proud of and enjoy.

"It is critical that we get the layout of the development and the quality of the architecture right so that the development becomes an impressive gateway into the city centre from both the railway station and bus station. There will also be a new car park with 428 spaces and I hope the designers ensure that it will be a safe and pleasant place to use. The proposed hotel should also be of the quality that will boost Gloucester's offer and attract people back to the city."

The city council is proposing to break the scheme into four blocks and potentially bring it forward on a phased basis.

The report approved by Cabinet sets out a timetable for bringing the scheme forward. Demolition of Bentinck House, the former tax office on Bruton Way, will take place after the new bus station opening and work on Kings Square itself will start shortly afterwards.

Punchline hopes that the tender process will result in local construction companies used for the project, to support the local economy.

The vision for the scheme has also been endorsed by the Regeneration Advisory Board.

Artist's impressions: Gloucester City Council.

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