Bristol council is binning Populous’ plans for a multi-million-pound concert arena in the heart of the city and has proposed instead pressing ahead with plans by Zaha Hadid Architects and Legal & General for a mixed-use scheme.

The council’s cabinet decided to scrap the original £123m arena project as costs mounted. More than £9m has been spent so far on developing the scheme which was proposed by former mayor and RIBA president George Ferguson.

Instead it is recommending an alternative project which could include a conference centre, a four- or five-star hotel, commercial spaces and retail as well as housing on the site next to Bristol Temple Meads station.

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