PLANS for a £10 million Worcester cultural quarter are being handed to council chiefs at the end of this month – with one of the city’s biggest redevelopments in a generation drawing ever closer.

These exclusive images show how the old Royal Worcester Porcelain site will be transformed into a hub for tourists and shoppers alike.

Its backers say not only will it draw inspiration from Paris’ Left Bank – it will give the Faithful City a cultural renaissance and aims to rival the likes of York and Cheltenham for the arts.

Outdoor cafes, bistros, facilities for national art exhibitions, three open courtyards and an outdoor theatre are all included in the grand plan.

After almost a year’s preparation, those behind the scheme say a planning application is due to be submitted to Worcester City Council by the end of July.

Over the last few months the plans have been beefed up to include room for open markets and shops, effectively extending the city centre.

Your Worcester News can also reveal the University of Worcester has been recruited to work on the project, and has been leading it.

The entire scheme is being funded by city philanthropist Colin Kinnear, who says he is desperate to breathe new life into the Royal Worcester Porcelain site due to its national importance. 

He said: “Our vision is to create an area in which all the arts can thrive and where the good work being done elsewhere in the city can be built upon.

“The site has been empty for some time and needs to be preserved as a treasured record of the manufacturing, artistic and craft skills associated with the worldrenowned Royal Worcester Porcelain.”

Vincent Kirk, of KKE Architects, said: “We are getting closer with this and are hoping to submit it by the end of July.

“The university is one of Worcester’s big hitters and they’ve been heavily involved in giving it their expertise. The city has been so supportive of the project, I have to say.”

A consultation event is being held at the Guildhall on Wednesday from 11am to 3pm where residents are invited to ask questions to the parties involved.

Dr Martin Doughty, the university’s pro-vice chancellor, said: “It will create a high quality environment that fosters artists and regenerates a neglected area of the city.

“We are delighted to share our knowledge and expertise to mutual benefit.”

Subject to approval from the planning committee, work on the site is timetabled to start in early 2014, with an opening target of the autumn of 2015.