Organisers want people to give their views on the designs

The Ozone project, which aims to help residents create a carbon-free community, is bidding for �25m from the Big Lottery's Living Landmarks Fund.

Some residents said the tower, which will produce environmentally-friendly power, would spoil the green area.

Three designs for the site will go on show in the city on Monday.

I'm worried about the scale of new development Ian Wells, Nottingham Civic Society

Organisers said they now wanted residents to give their opinions on the scheme, which would create jobs and training opportunities for local people.

Facilities planned for the site include wind turbines, a sports hub, cafe, skate park and an energy learning centre.

Ian Wells, of the Nottingham Civic Society, said he was not sure that the new buildings would benefit the area.

"I'm worried about the scale of new development.

"If you look at the Riverside, you've got the very busy Riverside Retail Park at one end, the new developments replacing the old industrial buildings at the other side of Trent Bridge and this bit in the middle.

"I know they talk about the embankment being under-used but in some ways this is one of the lungs of the city, it's calm and I would like to see that retained."

'Big difference'

The bid was one of 23 to be short-listed for the lottery funding in August - the final decision will be made in the Autumn.

Neil Horsley, spokesperson for the project, said: " We're delighted to have got this far down the line.

"But now we need people from Nottingham to support us further by coming along to the roadshows and giving us their feedback on our designs and plans.

"If our bid is successful, the Ozone could really make a big difference to the quality of life in and around The Meadows and Embankment areas."