Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

A major consultation has started and ends today...

A major consultation has commenced in which local people can have their say on what they would like to see in the new Trowbridge campus.

Lots of different communities live in the Trowbridge area and the Shadow COB wants to gather everyone’s views on what they want and need from a campus for the Trowbridge area.

The idea of a campus is to bring a number of services and facilities together in one building or a series of buildings. This means people can access services from the council community services and partners e.g. the police. In Trowbridge, a campus could also mean new leisure facilities.

As the county town, it is expected the Trowbridge Campus will draw people from a wider area, and significantly improve what it is on offer to the community. This might include a multi-million pound leisure centre capable not only of providing more opportunities for local people to participate but also of staging regional events and bringing high quality sport to Trowbridge.

Paper copies of the survey are available in Trowbridge Library, Castle Place Leisure Centre, Trowbridge Sports Centre, Tourist Information Centre, supermarkets, local shops and schools across the community area. Surveys can also be returned to these places.

The consultation questions are also available online, and there is a short film which explains more about what could be in a campus on the Trowbridge Community Campus page.

Surveys need to be completed by August 17th.

Colin Kay, chairman of the Shadow COB, said: 'We are determined to make this campus a reality, and it is important people take part in the consultation if it is to be a success. We need local input to help draw up a specific proposal for what the campus should be and where it should be situated.

'I know some people may feel cynical about it because there is a belief things are promised but not delivered. I would urge everyone to get behind this to make it a reality.

'With the new library, the development at St. Stephens Place and the plans for the Town Hall this is an exciting time for Trowbridge. The campus is another piece of that jigsaw and we need local people’s support to make sure it happens.

'This is only the first step in what will be a long process, but it is a very important one because it will start to shape what the campus will offer.'

There will be a further round of consultation in November or February. The proposal will then go to Wiltshire Council’s cabinet for approval. The Shadow COB will analyse all of the ideas and present them to the area board in the autumn of 2012.