A NEW transport hub, a town centre beach and more green spaces were among ideas put forward at a meeting discussing the future of Cirencester last night. 

Around 100 guests welcomed James Brain, acting head of planning at Cotswold District Council, to talk about the Cirencester Town Centre Framework Masterplan at the Cirencester Civic Society's AGM on Monday, March 18.

The masterplan has the potential to create a new outlook for the town and the council has launched a public consultation to gather residents' ideas of how to make it better. 

At the meeting, Mr Brain highlighted some research that underpins some of main opportunities identified in the masterplan including developing more green spaces or pocket-parks, a new transport hub or bus station, placing parking at the edge of town centre, remodelling the Forum/police station area, establishing a link to the Amphitheatre and creating a town centre beach. 

The audience shared some of their own ideas such as designing a medical hub in the town centre and promoting alfresco dining with tables and chairs on the pavement.

Carole Boydell, chair of Cirencester Civic Society, said: "The Cirencester Civic Society launched nearly 60 years ago with the aim of promoting and protecting the character of our wonderful market town, known as the capital of the Cotswolds. 

"The people of Cirencester now have the opportunity to shape how their town could look by 2050 so we are encouraging everyone to read the Town Centre Framework Masterplan and to let CDC hear your ideas too.

"Consultation on the masterplan closes on Sunday, April 7 - don’t waste the chance to help create the Cirencester of tomorrow."

To view the Cirencester Town Centre Masterplan draft visit shorturl.at/qryCW or email cirencester.civic.society@gmail.com for copies of the document.