DEVELOPERS have pledged to make the regeneration of the central car park and Maltings area of Salisbury “right for Salisbury”.

Gary Bourne, director of development firm Stanhope, told an extraordinary meeting of Salisbury Area Board held at South Wilts School on Thursday that the project is a “once in a lifetime opportunity” and will create a “catalyst for redevelopment”.

The multi-million pound scheme would involve new shops and leisure facilities as well as public open space, housing, parking and the opening up and rejuvenation of the riverside area.

Following public consultation the developer has added a bus and coach interchange to its plans and confirmed it is possible the city’s library will relocate as part of moves to improve the link between the area and the Market Place via Market Walk.

Alistair Cunningham, Wiltshire Council’s associate director for economic development and planning services, said: “At the moment we are looking at a number of options for the library.”

He said the options include a new building within the development, perhaps as part of a “cultural quarter” but stressed that the facility will be kept within the city centre.

Concerns were raised by members of the public about plans to get rid of long-stay parking at the site, leaving only short-stay and the impact on those parking in central car park and catching trains to London.

Mr Cunningham said: “It has long been the policy that we don’t want car parks in the centre of Salisbury to be filled up with people going to London. We want them to stay in Salisbury. It is not new, and it is nothing to do with Stanhope.”

Architect Simon Hudspith from Panter Hudspith said his firm has already worked on similar city centre regeneration projects next to sensitive buildings in cities including Oxford, Cambridge, York, Lincoln and Hereford.

He said: “We have spent 20 years working in cathedral cities. We have an understanding and respect for the cities we work in and take inspiration from the buildings that have been there for hundreds or thousands of years.

“We are looking at how this can be brought into modern buildings that are looking forward rather than being a pastiche.”

Consultation is still ongoing on the project, which would bring up to 700 new jobs and affordable homes to the city.

The developer hopes to submit a planning application towards the end of next year with the project to be completed in phases over two years.