THE shopping precinct in the centre of Corsham could be modernised as part of a £5 million plan.
The proposal, which incorporates suspended glass canopies, stainless steel and Bath stone finishes, were revealed last week by developer Castlefield Land.
If all goes to plan, the refurbishment, which involves almost doubling the size of the existing Somerfield supermarket, could start in the summer and be virtually completed by the end of 2002.
It is an exciting time for the town, with work due to start on its new railway station next year and 600 new homes being built.
North Wiltshire District Council bought the shopping precinct in 1999 with the aim of enhancing it.
Developers were invited to submit proposals and Castlefield, which has been working on the plans for six months, was chosen to extend and enhance the centre.
Derek Price, of PMP Architects said: "Obviously what exists already is of such a size that it is too big to pull it down and start again, so we will be working with what's already there.
"The most important things about these proposals is that they are realistic and achievable."
The plans see the shopping centre as a more modern and spacious place, which links to the High Street so it is not separated from the town's main shopping area.
There are also plans to make the most of the nearby Chapel Gardens as an amenity space, eventually converting the former chapel into a restaurant or caf and using the old graveyard as an extension to the car park.
"The old graveyard is derelict and one of our first decisions was that we were going to attempt not to disturb the burials," said David Hall, of Castlefield.
"We want to be able to move the memorials and display them around the walls we are retaining.
"A lot of people may be disturbed by that but it will be done as sensitively as possible."
He said advertisements would be placed in order to try and trace any relatives and inform them.
David Packham, the leader of North Wiltshire District Council, said he was very excited about the plans and stressed the district council would be working in partnership with Castlefield.
"The existing centre is very dated and tatty. A typical 1960s concrete shopping precinct, he said. "It certainly doesn't suit the needs of Corsham as an ever-expanding town."
The plans were shown to members of Corsham Town Council on Thursday and received a positive response.
"I think they've done a good job," said chairman Roger Fido.
The proposals also include new public toilets, a larger car park, taxi ranks at either end and space for two further shop units.
Now the proposals must go through the district council's planning process, which is expected to take a minimum of three months.
But things need to move quickly to meet Somerfield's deadlines for extending their store which would be the crucial first stage of the refurbishment.
"Time is absolutely critical," said Adam Loxton-Peacock of Castlefield. "From Somerfield's perspective they have a deadline to meet."
The supermarket wants to start extending the store as soon as July.
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