A host of bold proposals including a city amphitheatre and skate park have been dropped from a £20 million vision to revamp Canterbury.

The options were put forward by the city council when it started piecing together a bid for a share of the government’s Levelling Up Fund cash pot.

But after putting the ideas out to public consultation and calculating the costs, the authority has refined its vision to turn the city into one “truly of a global appeal”.

A plan to transform the Guildhall council chamber into Canterbury’s main visitor welcome centre is one of the aspirations to be taken off the list.

It was hoped the former church could potentially house a copy of the Magna Carta and become the go-to destination for tourists to start their journey learning about the city.

However, the idea has been shelved.

Joining it on the rejected proposal list is the striking plan for an open-air amphitheatre at the castle.

The Roman-inspired construction was set to host a range of events such as theatre performances, re-enactments, concerts and screenings of big sporting events.

Due to costing reasons, the amphitheatre has been scrapped - but the council is still choosing to create an events space at the old Norman ruin.

Repairs are still planned for the crumbling stonework and the surrounding grounds are set to be landscaped to provide room for groups to congregate and enjoy picnics.

Council officers are also hoping to tap into the world of ‘augmented reality’ - which would allow mobile phone users to see virtual representations of how the castle looked hundreds of years ago as they visit the site.

The technology - similar to the Pokemon GO craze of 2016 - will enable “the telling of rich and compelling stories”.

A report compiled by officers ahead of a cabinet meeting on Monday, states: “Visitors would be able to stand in Canterbury Castle and see what the keep looked like at various stages throughout its history, the weapons and armour and food that was eaten and the living conditions.

“This would present extraordinary opportunities for engagement, as would the involvement of schools and local heritage groups in the development of ideas for such experiences.”

As well as the castle, augmented reality is under consideration for Westgate Towers and the city wall.

One of the most contentious proposals suggested by the council last year was to open a skate park at Tannery Field.

Critics blasted the vision and expressed fears the beauty spot would be turned into a hive for anti-social behaviour.

After listening to the feedback, the authority will not be pursuing the skateboard park plan - however, it is still considering installing temporary provisions in the city at a future date.

Other aspects of the council’s original vision to be taken off the table include: a visitor experience centre on the top level of Castle Street multi-storey car park, a pilgrim museum at St Peter’s Church and an innovation centre next to Canterbury West railway station.

Having now determined which aspirations it wants to pursue, the authority is in the process of adding detail to the bid, before submitting an application by Wednesday, July 6.

The Canterbury district has been ranked by the government as a high-priority location, meaning it stands a good chance of claiming the Levelling Up cash.

With a host of ideas scrapped, officers are now fine-tuning those which will be part of the final Levelling Up bid.

They include improving the Dane John Gardens, renovating the city wall and creating a number of 'story gardens' in underused green spaces. Each would focus on a different story, for example, the Blitz Garden, Martyrs Garden, Children’s Authors Garden, Marlowe Garden and Chaucer Garden.

Elsewhere, the Marlowe Kit building in Stour Street will undergo critical repairs and public access to the former poor priests’ hospital will be increased.

A new civic square is planned to be created outside Westgate Towers, with the kerbs being lowered at the bottom end of the high street to create a shared space area that could be utilised for "arts, events and celebrations".

"The area is a significant arrival point into the city that bookends the high street," the report reads.

"The streetscape is degraded and cluttered and needs to be made more welcoming. The proposal could result in pop-up bollards being installed and some temporary road closures being put in place for a small number of events throughout the year."

Improving wayfinding across the city and sprucing up "arrival points" such as St George's Roundabout and St Radigunds car park are also included in the council's plans.

Having now determined which aspirations it wants to pursue, the authority is now in the process of adding detail to the bid, before submitting an application by Wednesday, July 6.

The Canterbury district has been ranked by the government as a high-priority location, meaning it stands a good chance of claiming the Levelling Up cash.