An artist's impression of how the Wicker Hill area of Trowbridge will look in the futureA rundown area dominated by a disused toilet block could be transformed into a charming riverside oasis. Artist's impressions of how the town bridge area of Trowbridge could look have been unveiled once it has been landscaped.

Cllr Graham Hedley said: "It will be a vast improvement. The sooner we see the back of those toilets the better and I think when you look down Wicker Hill and along the river it will be fantastic, especially coupled with the future developments proposed upstream."

Proposals included surfacing the area in sandstone, planting new trees and installing new lights and railings in keeping with the area, as well as putting in new seating.

One aspect of the plans that did provoke concern among some town councillors at Tuesday's meeting of the town development committee were sandstone steps improving access to the historic Blind House.

Cllr Andrew Bryant said: "As soon as these go in they will attract skateboarders and they will be damaged. They will look great, but only for a very short time."

The council resolved to ask that other materials be looked into to avoid possible damage by skateboarders.

The site could also be used for some form of public art reflecting the history of the town. The plans have thrown a further spanner in the works for Trowbridge entrepreneur Thomas Rothschild who had hoped to buy the land from the district council to build an art gallery and exhibition centre.

Mr Rothschild has planning permission on the site but the current owner, West Wiltshire District Council, has refused offers to sell.

The district council plans to turn the land over to the town council and £50,000 has been set aside through the Five Towns Initiative for the work to be done.