The artist's impression and details for the transformation of Peterborough's first Streets, Squares and Spaces project have been put together by urban regeneration company Opportunity Peterborough.

See the artist's impression and details of the plan of Peterborough's first Streets, Squares and Spaces project as a PDF (1.2MB).

The illustration reveals how space to the north of the Guildhall will be left open to make it more useable and accessible, while benches in the area will reflect the timber construction of the Cathedral roof and lighting effects will be used to highlight key historic buildings.

A central part of the design was the introduction of water features to the area between the Guildhall and the Cathedral entrance.

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However, the number of water features originally proposed is being reduced to allow better movement around them.

The new St John's Square will also be brought to life as a smaller, more intimate square, with trees and grassed areas where people can sit and relax.

Planting in pots can also be used around the church to create the feeling of an inner city garden.

Director of strategic growth at Opportunity Peterborough Steve Bowyer said: "Creating a new public realm for the city is about designing spaces that people will use and enjoy and local people's comments have been vital in making this happen.

"The designs celebrate Peterborough's heritage, highlighting its surroundings through lighting and cleared open spaces and lighting.

"Water is a really important aspect of the scheme as it helps bring people together – encouraging a sense of fun and liveliness in Cathedral Square for all ages and cultures.

"However, we are ensuring that the fountains will have sensors that will reduce their height on windy days and can be turned off so that the spaces can be used for other events."

The new designs for Cathedral Square have been created by local landscape architecture practice LDA Design using the principles identified within the Public Realm Strategy and the comments received from local residents at feedback events.

More than 100 people gave their views on the Public Realm Strategy in May in a bid to find out how the city's heritage is being used to influence designs, the size of the water jets and why more green space is not being brought into the city.

Now, Peterborough residents are being invited to see how this feedback has been used to inform the plans at events on Thursday, at the Town Hall, from 6pm to 8pm and on Saturday at Peterborough Museum in Priestgate from 10am to noon.

Cabinet member for housing, regeneration and economic development councillor Graham Murphy added: "Cathedral Square is one of the city centre's key features and we have taken on board people's comments to create an area which visitors, residents and people working in the city centre can all enjoy."