THE first steps have been taken towards laying out a new vision for Bradford on Avon and the surrounding villages.

A date has been set for a meeting to select around 20 representatives to thrash out the details of a Community Plan for the area.

The representatives will come from local groups and councils.

The Community Plan would be an agreed vision for the future of the area and a statement of the aspirations of local people.

It could contain goals or a timeline of projects or a set of targets.

Those in favour of developing the plan say it could be a focus point for government or decision-making bodies to consult.

Town councillors in Bradford believe it will be recognised by external agencies as the way the people at grassroots level feel about the things that affect their town like traffic or air pollution.

Town councillor Malcolm Hewson said: "We need to link community needs into service planning so that the community actually gets the services it wants.

"If other places have a community plan and we do not then we will lose out."

Included in the area under the community plan are the villages of Holt, South Wraxall, Monkton Farleigh, Limpley Stoke, Winsley, Westwood and Wingfield.

A co-ordinating group to get the formation of the community plan underway will be picked at the meeting on May 17 at St Margaret's Hall.