A VISION for the future of Trowbridge will not just be a paper exercise according to those working on the project.

Suggestions in the Vision document, unveiled by consultants three weeks ago, include a cinema, leisure centre and arts/media centre and the transformation of Fore Street into a market square.

Other elements put forward include making more of a feature of water and the River Biss and altering the course of Bythesea Road and moving the Civic Hall.

The partnership behind the project, charged with moving it forward, includes West Wiltshire District Council, the South West Regional Development Agency, Wiltshire County Council, Trowbridge Town Council and the West Wiltshire Economic Development Partnership.

Town council clerk Doug Ross said: "People are used to seeing things on paper and think it is going to be built tomorrow.

"I don't believe it will happen like that but I do believe it will happen. The partnership has said we have to work to make this, or at least some of this, happen."

Investment costs needed for the public areas of the proposals could be between £5m and £15m.

Mayor Glyn Bridges said the costs would be spread over the total period of the development process, which could be 10 to 15 years.

He said: "These costs can be met by government grants, planning gains from working with developers and from the development of councils' land assets, not from council taxes.

"For example council tax did not pay for the St Stephen's Place car park that came from planning gain as a result of working with developers.

"The upgrading of the Market Place etc has come from government grants."

All large commercial developments include financial contributions to public infrastructure such as roads, schools, and environmental improvements.

Funds are also available for public investment from bodies such as the Lottery and government or European grants which will be explored by the Vision partners.

Cllr Bridges said: "Trowbridge is set to become the largest town in Wiltshire, apart from Swindon, by 2011. It is realistic to plan for this development, and expedient to seize the opportunities which will be on offer for the benefit of all the residents of Trowbridge."

Mr Ross said: "If we can entice the required developers and can find ways of raising funding, and if the local authorities can realise the land so the developers can get on with it, then we have a real opportunity to make Trowbridge the place we deserve."

But some quarters are concerned people will expect things to happen immediately and are worried about the cost.

Town, district and county councillor Jeff Osborn said: "There should be a note of caution with the whole thing."