A DESIGN for future Chippenham is about to be drawn up and residents' views are needed to find out how people want the town to develop.

Would you like to see sustainability given a higher priority in new homes, or have ideas about the design of the town's architectural style in the 21st century? Then now is the time to have your say.

Chippenham Town Council is taking the first steps to create a Chippenham Neighbourhood Plan and has embarked on the initial public engagement phase.

The town council want to know what residents like or dislike about the town, what they want a ‘future Chippenham’ to look like, and what topics or issues they feel are most relevant.

“Engaging with our communities is an essential component of the Neighbourhood Plan process and it is also a real opportunity for people to influence the future of their town," said Cllr Nick Murry, who chairs the Chippenham Neighbourhood Plan steering group.

"People will also have the chance to get stuck into the detail of the plan by participating in topic groups on key aspects. My message is get in touch, get involved and make a difference!”

The purpose of the Neighbourhood Plan is to guide the future development and growth of the town by producing supplementary planning policies and influencing where development takes place.

The plan could include where new homes, shops and offices should be built, what new buildings should look like and what infrastructure should be provided. Neighbourhood planning provides a powerful set of tools for local people to ensure that they get the right types of development for their community

A short five-minute online survey is already up and running and can be completed at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/chippenhamneighbourhoodplan until March 22.

People wanting to contribute to the survey in person or to find out more about the plan can visit information stalls at Chippenham Library today (March 7), at Chippenham Market on March 9, Bath Road Sainsbury's on March 12, and Emery Gate on March 16. All will be open from 11am till 2pm. Information stalls will also be operating at the Olympiad on March 19 and Chippenham railway station on March 20, from 4pm to 6pm. To find out more about the plan please visit the website chippenhamneighbourhoodplan.org.uk