This is how the first public park to be built in Birmingham for more than a century could look.

It will be in Eastside, designed on traditional lines with mown grass, flower beds, wooden benches and could be named in honour of Sir Winston Churchill.

City council regeneration Cabinet member Ken Hardeman confirmed a proposal that the nine-acre park might have a Japanese theme with gravel, concrete plinths, tropical fish and futuristic art has been ruled out.

The option caused a row when first floated last year, with the Birmingham Civic Society describing the idea as "disastrous" for the city's reputation.

Civic Society members warned that a concrete park would quickly become a soulless area avoided by most people.

Coun Hardeman ( Con Brandwood) has not yet taken a decision about naming the "green oasis", although Sir Winston Churchill Park is a front runner.

He is appealing for public views on the matter, but added: "Churchill was probably the greatest ever Englishman and as far as I know there is nothing in Birmingham to commemorate his legacy."

A #39 million land clearance programme, funded by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands, will enable the second phase of Eastside to be completed sooner than expected.

Coun Hardeman said: "One of the things we lack in the city centre is public green spaces, but we now have the resources to put that right.

"There were all sorts of proposals for concrete and Japanese-style designs but we are determined to try to get as much grass as we can.

"We don't want concrete podiums and squares. We want something that is green and traditional."

The council launched a public consultation exercise to gauge opinion about the park's design. Initial publicity material drawn up for Eastside spoke of tree-lined boulevards and a green space with traditional English flower beds.

Coun Hardeman said: "There may still be an opportunity for local residents to have their say but we are clear that we want this to be a park in the truest sense of the word."

Planting of the first three acres, on land next to Millennium Point, will begin shortly. The area will be used as a temporary venue for the council to stage outdoor sports and arts events.

A council publicity leaflet paints a picture of how the nine acres could be transformed: "The park will be an area for families to enjoy, for office workers to use at lunchtime, for students to take a break from their studies, for visitors to Millennium Point to relax in and for Brummies to be proud of."