A TEAM of 20 consultants has started work on creating a Vision For Trowbridge alongside promises that the £0.5m project is more than just talk and will lead to a better future for the county town.

The Vision For Trowbridge Partnership, led by West Wiltshire District Council, announced on Wednesday it had appointed consultancy firm Gillespies Urban Design and Landscape Consultants to carry out the work.

District council chief executive Jeffrey Ligo said: "This is a significant step along the road to revitalising the county town. The next key milestone will be the publication of the consultants' report, which will encapsulate all the work they will be doing over the next few months and will lay the groundwork for launching Trowbridge into a new era of prosperity."

Work carried out by the experts will lead to a master plan for sites in the town centre, and the consultants' report is due this autumn. The plan will contain guidelines against which future development proposals and planning applications will be measured.

Key issues to be looked at include: integrated bus and rail facilities; provision of housing, retail and office space; development potential for a cinema; opportunities to create new public open spaces; and the feasibility of building a major public sector administrative centre.

The consultants will also analyse the area's geology, environment and archaeology and say they will build on previous consultation exercises by working closely with community groups.

Philip Watkins, head of operations (Swindon and Wiltshire) for the South West Regional Development Agency, which has allocated up to £379,000 of funding for the project, said: "If Trowbridge is to take advantage of the regeneration opportunities that exist in the town, potential developers and investors must have a clear idea of how the town sees its future."

West Wiltshire District Council has also allocated £250,000 to create a £0.5m pot of money for the project.

Vision for Trowbridge was launched by the district council in 2001 and is a partnership with the South West Regional Development Agency, Wiltshire County Council, and Trowbridge Town Council.

Stephen Wardell, senior partner with Gillespies, which has offices throughout the UK, said: "We look forward to working with the local community, landowners and other interested parties to identify the potential of the town centre and provide opportunities for future growth and prosperity."