Stirling Council has approved plans for a £200 million transformational project throughout the city.

The City Development Framework is designed to help Stirling become an 'economic and cultural powerhouse' in Scotland.

Formal consultations will now be held with the UK and Scottish Governments along with other potential investors on the funding of the £200m plans.

Three projects have been identified as key to the plans, with the potential to generate over £80 million per year for the local economy and create 1,700 jobs.

Proposals include a new Digital District with a Digital Hub as a focal point, a Civic Quarter at Forthside with a new Council office building, a Civic Square and a new international visitor attraction; and a Grow-on Space to support small and medium sized businesses.

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Further plans still being developed include regenerating the Mercat Cross area of the city with a City Market and education, retail and cultural opportunities, plans for a new Conference Centre, the development of a new City Park in the shadow of Stirling Castle, and plans to develop the River Forth as a key tourist and leisure resource.

Council Leader Johanna Boyd: "We need to challenge ourselves to ensure that Stirling becomes a truly world-class city with benefits for all our citizens, particularly those most in need, and this is what the City Development Framework is designed to do.

"It is as much about creating connections; linking rural and urban, enabling and working with our communities, and making sure that the entire Stirling area is a place of enterprise and opportunity for all."

(LM/CD)