A MAJOR town centre regeneration scheme has been given the green light.

Crawley town centre will be revitalised with work starting early next year and expected to be completed by autumn 2016.

Crawley Borough Council and West Sussex County Council are investing £3 million in the scheme, which will remodel Queens Square as the heart of the town centre.

It is also hoped the work will act as a catalyst for wider regeneration.

Members of Crawley Borough Council’s development control committee approved the plans at its meeting on Monday night.

A consultation in November showed that the 'curves' concept was the respondents’ preferred design and the council’s cabinet approved this as the final concept in March.

The bandstand will also be refurbished, redecorated and relocated to the Memorial Gardens while the Martlets Tree, public art installed in 1999, will also be moved elsewhere.

Councillor Peter Smith, cabinet member for planning and economic development at Crawley Borough Council, said: “I’m delighted that these plans were approved last night and look forward to seeing work start early next year.

“The Queens Square redevelopment, which is a key part of our town centre regeneration programme, will go a long way to improving the core of the town centre and will integrate with other exciting developments that we are bringing forward later this year.”