CHIPPENHAM residents are being invited to have their say in the shaping of town's future.

Two sites to the north and south of the railway including the Westinghouse site, Wiltshire College and the livestock market in Cocklebury Road, totalling 90 acres, have recently come under the spotlight.

North Wiltshire District Council has taken on consultants Donaldsons to help it draw up planning guidelines for the sites.

More than 80 members of the public attended a special meeting of the Chippenham area committee on Thursday when the draft plans were unveiled.

The north site is divided into three zones, with the first earmarked for large scale retail and leisure development, the second for high density housing for local need, and the third for large scale employment use.

The south site is promoted as a mixed-use site, with opportunities for small scale employment, residential use, small scale leisure and retail use, and facilities for the community, such as community leisure and recreation areas.

Another element of the development brief is the possibility of a new link from Cocklebury Road over the railway line to the Langley Road.

After the meeting, chairman Coun Monica Blake said she was disappointed people did not put forward their own ideas for the area. "There were a few questions, but it was a bit disappointing," she said. "We didn't get any impression of what anyone wanted to see there.

"We were looking for positive attitudes and thoughts. This is only a draft brief and it is something people can put their own ideas into.

"Ten years ago this would have been decided behind closed doors. Now we want to consult with the public because we value local opinion."

Nicola Williams, surveyor for Donaldsons, said: "These sites will help shape the future of Chippenham, making a huge impact on the economic viability and physical appearance of the town.

"That makes it critically important that public consultation is at the very heart of our research."

The brief for the south site reveals Wiltshire College Chippenham would consider reorganising its accommodation or moving to a new college campus elsewhere within the town.

Other Cocklebury Road businesses, such as Arriva Ford and ATS, have indicated they would consider alternative locations. The livestock market is also set to relocate from the current Cocklebury Road site.

Coun Philip Allnatt said: "Sooner or later the livestock market will have to go from that site, and whether it stays in north Wiltshire, or where it moves to, are not the council's decision.

"However, those of us at the district council and the county council with an interest in farming would like to see the market retained in the district."

Public consultation on the use of the sites will continue until June 7. The plans will then be discussed at the Town Centre Forum meeting on May 14 in the town hall. A further public meeting will be organised at the end of May.

During the next six weeks the plans will be displayed for a week at a time in Emery Gate, the town hall, the council offices at Monkton Park, and other venues to be announced.

Once opinions have been gathered, a second draft will be put together.

This will then be released for further public consultation, before it is adopted by the council's executive committee in the autumn.