REPLACING Cascades swimming pool in Tewkesbury was among the issues put to residents at the start of a major exhibition on the town's future.

The event, which runs for the rest of the week, is aimed at mapping out the town over the next 10 to 20 years.

And the message from civic bosses after the first day is that now is the time for people to have their say in helping to shape Tewkesbury's future.

The borough council, in partnership with other groups, is staging the display in the town hall in High Street to receive ideas from the public.

Council bosses said dozens of people filled out a questionnaire during the first day.

The authority's lead member for built environment, Councillor Derek Davies, said: "We are delighted with the turnout and it's great that so many people are keen to get involved in the future planning of Tewkesbury.

"The town centre needs to develop according to an overall plan that reflects the interests of the whole community, which is why the exhibition is so important."

Visitors were able to get a flavour of what the vision may turn out to be.

They were asked to state their vision for Tewkesbury, list three special things in the town and pinpoint three things they felt should change.

The survey put to residents questions about whether replacing Cascades swimming pool should be a central part of plans to regenerate the town.

It also asked whether the town should become a zero carbon place and whether it needed to establish a stronger identity through branding and marketing. Display boards flagged up various suggestions that have been included in plans drawn up in recent years.

They included making more of the town's ancient heritage and its rivers.

Council officers stress nothing has been decided at this stage and the boards are there to stimulate interest. The exhibition continues today, from 9am to 8pm. It will be open until 5pm tomorrow and on Saturday.

Representatives from Tewkesbury Town Council, Tewkesbury Regeneration Initiative, Tewkesbury Area Partnership and Tewkesbury Chamber of Commerce are involved with the council in the master plan process.

Stakeholders will meet up to discuss ideas raised at the exhibition at a workshop on July 21 at the borough council offices.

The borough council is also working with the Council for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) on taking the project forward.

No timescale has been established for when the plan will be finalised but it is expected to set out the priorities for regenerating key sites in the town.

Mark Pearson, CABE's head of design for the South West, said: "The Tewkesbury project was one of the best bids that we received and has the potential to become a real exemplar of how to move the agenda forwards for other historic market towns.

"The vision needs to grow out of the place but then we need to ensure that it is robust in terms of implementation and provides a framework, which all parties can commit to.

"Principles of good design and sustainable place-making ought to be at the heart of that, so that the town can draw inspiration from the past, but look to its future with greater confidence."

He added: "Master planning is about the longer term and provides the means for everyone to work together over a number of years.

"Tewkesbury is more likely to succeed with consensus and commitment. It is hoped that the master plan will act as a catalyst for public and private sector investment."

OPINION, P8