A VISION for the economic development of south Wiltshire over the next 20 years is to be unveiled next month.

It is contained in a report, which will be presented to business people on Decem-ber 12 at an awareness evening in Salisbury Cathedral's refectory restaurant.

The South Wiltshire Economic Partnership, which is funded by Salisbury District Council, commissioned the report from Great Western Enter-prise of Trowbridge to look at ways in which south Wiltshire might develop over the next 20 years beyond the time of the council's local plan, which runs until 2011.

Swep chairman Alan Taylor said the idea of a vision for the economic development of the area was very important to him.

"I want this region to be strong," he said.

He said he wanted "all the main players" to get involved training pro-viders, employers, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tourism 2000 and the Federation of Small Businesses, and to incorporate the vision in their own strategic planning.

Salisbury MP Robert Key and Salisbury District Council were already involved, he said.

But, he emphasised, consultation was continuing and would continue.

"The vision will never be finished," he said, "It must remain a living document."

Mr Taylor, a former chairman of the Salisbury branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, added: "I see us developing as a technology-based area with businesses adding intellectual value to a number of products.

"And we have a very strong entrepreneurial thrust, despite the growth of new businesses in this area being lower than elsewhere.

"We also have a strong service industry but we are going to have to pay to attract graduates, as housing is expensive.

"Whatever we do, we must balance development with protecting the environment and the fact that it will be difficult does not mean we shouldn't try."

Mr Taylor said the awareness evening would do three things demonstrate what Swep has achieved so far, explain about the formation of a training network and tell people about the vision study and seek their views on it.

"We want as many businesses to contribute to the process as possible," he said.

The awareness evening starts at 6.30pm.