The city council approved the draft Regeneration Zone proposals at a meeting on Monday.

More than 1,000 new homes for the area are now in the pipeline alongside office and retail developments.

The council want to build a civic quarter and a business quarter near to the John Street car park.

Quality developments

The idea is to create more jobs in the city centre and a major office centre has been suggested around the Unity House area.

There are also plans for diverse shops like book stores, health food shops and unusual clothes shops in Hope Street.

The city council says only high quality developments will be allowed and it will make use of the historical buildings.

It is also planning improvements to car parks which could include demolishing John Street multi-story and building a new magistrates court or offices.

There could also be new headquarters for some council workers.