The guardians of Cheltenham's architectural heritage have backed plans to remodel the town centre – but have warned the town's character must be preserved.

Cheltenham Civic Society has written to Steve Jordan, leader of Cheltenham Borough Council about the authority's Civic Pride proposals.

The scheme could see traffic banned from Royal Well Road, Clarence Parade and Boots Corner, and a major regeneration of the North Place and Portland Street car parks, with new council buildings going up.

The council would vacate the Municipal Offices in the Promenade and sell the buildings to developers, perhaps for a hotel or shops.

John Henry, chairman of the Civic Society, which comments on all planning applications, said: "Overall, our members support the proposals. There is a widespread belief they are the right way forward.

"We are happy to offer the Civic Society's endorsement of the Civic Pride Strategy."

But he added the society did have reservations about the plans, including the future of the Municipal Offices.

It said it believed the relocation of the borough council would regenerate North Place, but it wanted to make sure the buildings in the Promenade were used properly.

Mr Henry said, "It's only the facade and some of the inside which must be kept as they are.

"The back is horrid and if something better can be built facing Royal Crescent that would be good.

"But it must be something high quality and of Cheltenham quality. It would be a disaster if the building remained vacant for long.

"The aim is to make Cheltenham the most beautiful town in the country; the Promenade is the most beautiful street in the town and the Municipal Offices are central to that."

The society also has doubts about the wisdom of closing Boots Corner to traffic.

Society vice president Phil Newcombe said: "We are concerned that closing the corner will relieve the alleged burden of traffic there, but the nearest roads College Lawn, Ambrose Street and St George's Road will see much of that traffic diverted to them, as they are the next roads for traffic running north to south.

"Also we need to know about access to Pittville Street. There are a number of taxi and disabled parking spaces and the question is how they will get out."