Bedford Borough Council has revealed plans to develop a £15m cultural quarter in the town to showcase art and history.

The council – which intends to bid for the £15m through national funding – is currently working with a number of partner organisations on the regeneration project, called Three Galleries: One Vision.

The regeneration will centre around Bedford’s Castle Lane and is intended to develop the arts in the area as well as providing a focus for regional and national art across the east of England.

Architects Ash Sakula have submitted the winning design for the Castle Lane quarter, which will include an outdoor archaeological museum and live-work studios alongside outdoor cafés, restaurants, residential apartments and small businesses.

The prospective development partner – Complex Development Projects – will now submit a detailed development proposal for the site, in liaison with the council and other stakeholders.

Last week, government arts minister Estelle Morris visited Bedford and heard from council representatives about the future plans for the arts in the area.

Touring both the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery and Bedford Museum, Morris said: “I’m really impressed with the museum and the art gallery, particularly the way they are linked with the community. They have beautiful collections and I congratulate them for building a proper history of Bedford.”