The council has identified a site near the St Paul's roundabout at junction three of the motorway, on a brownfield site.

The authority would like to complete the project, known as Junction Three Creative Learning Centre, by 2009/10. The Big Lottery Fund's community libraries programme has just awarded £1.9m  to the project which will be built in one of the poorest wards in the city.

The scheme would also include housing and business or shop units to help pay the rest of the cost.

About two thirds of the site is already owned by the council and negotiations to buy the remaining land are underway.

The council says funding arrangements and design details will be developed over the next six months.