City council leaders could get help from German architects to create a stunning new look for Oxford's Bonn Square.

Following public consultation on two possible schemes - either to level the area or keep a raised mound - a report to council leaders concluded that there was no clear agreement on which option was preferred.

Out of only 280 comments received online, 127 were in favour of levelling the area, while 101 were in favour of the raised design. Some did not express a preference.

Yesterday, executive members agreed to go back to the drawing board to give Bonn Square a new look.

Council planners will now draw up a design brief together with the West End Steering Group before design teams from the UK and Germany compete to have their bid announced as the winner next May.

Susan Brown, executive member for crime and community safety, said the two previous proposals could be replaced by a completely new design.

She added: "I had always hoped that we could go down the route of having an urban design competition so that we could get the best possible design for Bonn Square.

"Bonn is one of the city's twin towns and it would be really interesting to get their views. A few months' delay is preferable to not getting the right design."

Liberal Democrat councillor Stephen Tall, who was at the board meeting, said: "Bonn Square is a bit of an eyesore and I think levelling it would be the best option. Whatever design is accepted needs to incorporate the war memorial somewhere. Perhaps it's best not to rush this -- we don't want another Cornmarket situation."

The cost of repaving Cornmarket Street has now risen to more than £5m -- almost double the original estimate.

Michael Crofton-Briggs, the council's planning manager, said designers would be encouraged to provide a scheme envisaging a bus-free Queen Street. He added: "I would like to see Bonn Square compete with some of the best European city squares. It could be a real focal point."

The city and county councils hope to pedestrianise Queen Street once plans for the redevelopment of the Westgate shopping centre start.

A project manager for the square's redevelopment has been hired with funds provided by the West End Steering Group.

The group includes representatives from the city and county councils and other groups interested in the redevelopment of the West End, which includes the Westgate Centre, Oxpens Road, and the castle site.