A PLAN to breathe new life into a North-East city centre could attract investment of close to half a billion pounds by 2030, according to civic leaders.

Sunderland City Council has said a vision is emerging for a reinvigorated city centre, that will build transform the heart of Wearside into a place that will become the ‘economic and cultural driver’ it deserves.

With the council’s City Hall plans to be discussed in a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, the emerging city centre vision outlines how council investment will act as a catalyst to attract private sector funding.

It is expected that the total council investment in the city centre in the 15-year period to 2030 will be eclipsed by private sector investment of close to £300m, with the local authority’s own spending on the city stimulating market confidence to attract businesses and investors.

Council Leader Councillor Graeme Miller, said: “We want the city centre to be a place our residents can be proud of, as well as somewhere that people want to live, work and spend time in.

“A declining high street, that reflects the same challenges faced by towns and cities across the country, has left Sunderland in need of investment and though we are seeing green shoots of revival, we have to fast-track the city centre’s transformation.

“We will stimulate confidence in the market by taking brave and bold decisions, decisions like investing in Vaux, and making it as easy as possible for investors.”

Plans includes better housing for the former brewery site, a stronger food and drink offer and a new riverside crossing to better connect the football stadium to the city centre.

There will also be an improved railway station on the current site, better road links into the city and the regeneration of historic buildings.

Cllr Miller added: “City centres have to adapt and diversify if they’re going to survive and this is all about breathing new life in and giving it a renewed sense of purpose and vitality.”