Plans have been outlined for a £12bn floating city designed to carry up to 80,000 people, combining residential living, commercial space and large-scale public facilities on a single vessel.

The proposed structure, named Freedom Ship, would measure around a mile in length, 800ft in width and rise to 30 decks, with capacity for permanent residents, visitors and crew.

Project developers say the floating city would include housing for around 50,000 residents, space for additional visitors, as well as schools, shops, restaurants and healthcare facilities, including a research hospital.

Other proposed facilities include hotels, a convention centre, a sports stadium, museums, a symphony hall, a water park and entertainment venues, alongside commercial and retail districts.

The vessel is expected to operate continuously at sea, circumnavigating the globe every few years at a slow cruising speed, remaining in international waters and relying on ferries for passenger transfer to and from land.

Design plans also include transport systems within the ship, extensive walkways and green spaces.

The project, which has been discussed for decades, is being led by a development team that says construction could begin once funding is secured.

Early proposals suggest the ship would be built in sections before being assembled offshore, with construction potentially taking several years.

Developers say the project could include commercial leasing opportunities for businesses operating on board, along with facilities such as a hospital and other large-scale services.

The concept remains in the planning and fundraising stage, with no construction currently underway.