PLANS to redevelop the area around Chippenham Station will future-proof the town centre for generations to come, according to one planning director.

Hundreds of people viewed the seven-phase master plan at

Chippenham Town Hall yesterday afternoon, which outlines the need for the regeneration of the town centre and highlights a need for new car parking, opportunities for commercial development and better transport links.

Wiltshire Council asked residents and local stakeholders for their opinions on the multi-agency plan which, if successful, should be complete by 2021.

“This is an early stage of the consultation but we are doing it to make sure we understand the key concerns of residents and stakeholders,” Tim Martienssen, acting director of economics and planning at Wiltshire Council, said.

“It is a complex process and it will take time to do and we want to make sure we get it right. If we rush it, it could grind to a halt with one grain of salt.

“Chippenham has a diverse community and we need to accommodate young people in our plans and we recognise that. Chippenham is an exciting place to live and there are so many opportunities here. This process is about making Chippenham work for everybody.”

Phase one of the redevelopment plans, to improve the station building and its accessiblity, is already being carried out by Great Western Railway.

The following stages will then focus on commercial development at Sadlers Mead, multi-storey car parking, a new pedestrian and cycle footbridge across the railway line and a residential development including affordable homes.

However, the plans have raised concerns for some, including John Penfold, who lives in Pewsham.

He said: “I have terribly mixed feelings about this. What I have seen is a great deal of commercial development at Langley Park but nothing is happening on the High Street.

“The car parking is driving people away from the town and all the charity and coffee shops are too, and that is mentioned in my comments to the council.”

Despite being pleased with the plans, Councillor Bill Douglas is concerned that they are long overdue.

“I am happy with the proposals and I hope there will be a collegiate feel to parts of Chippenham. These plans are definitely the way

forward but it seems to me there is no urgency and that the timescale is too far in advance,” he added.