Plans for the multi-million pound regeneration of central Salford, Greater Manchester, have been submitted to the local authority by English City Funds (ECF) following more than two years of consultation.

Backed by Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company (CSURC), the scheme covers a 17.744-hectare (43.8-acre) area in the heart of the city and will link sites including Salford University and The Crescent, Chapel Street and the Spinningfields business district. The proposals include the creation of new bars, 390 new hotel rooms, a public square to be called St John's Place, 24,000sq m (258,334sq ft) of active use space and the restoration of historic buildings situated on Chapel Street, as well as cycle routes, footpaths and new open spaces.

Nearly 200,000sq m (2.2 million sq ft) of office space, 864 new homes and retail units are also included as part of the scheme, which is set to be larger than the first phase of Salford's MediaCityUK development. ECF's Phil Mayall said: "This mixed-use scheme will encourage the development of a sustainable community, capturing benefits for both the neighbouring and wider Salford areas. It is an important first step on the road to regenerating what was formerly the civic heart of Salford."

CSURC chief executive, Chris Farrow, added: "We want to create a vibrant, urban centre with striking economic opportunity born out of the city's fine heritage which will showcase its many historical and natural assets."