PLANS for a massive scheme to turn Northern Above Bar in Southampton into the city's showcase "cultural quarter" are due to take a further step forward next week.

City bosses are expected to approve the sale of the redundant Tyrrell & Green site to developers Raven Group Holdings in a multi-million-pound deal, at a Cabinet meeting next Monday.

The scheme will see two huge glass towers built above an arts centre on the Tyrrell & Green site in the city centre.

They will contain 200 high-quality apartments overlooking Guildhall Square and East Park if the scheme is given the green light by planning bosses.

Council chiefs have already approved funding of about £2.8m to help pay for the huge project. They are also being offered £5m from the Arts Council to help pay for an arts centre underneath the towers.