Swale Borough Council has appointed Urban Initiatives to prepare the master plan and strategy for Sittingbourne town centre.

This is the project to develop the vision for the regeneration of Sittingbourne and provide a clear policy for development. Public involvement will be very important in shaping this piece of work. During April the council will be asking the public what they would like to see in a regenerated Sittingbourne town centre. These responses will be used to shape the draft plan on which we will be seeking final views later in the year.

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Cllr John Wright, Council Portfolio Holder for regeneration said: "This is the final consultation phase on the road to a re-born Sittingbourne. I urge everyone who lives or works here as well as those who represent a group or an organisation, to have their say and influence the vision."

Full details about how people can get involved via the consultation will be issued by the end of the month.

Barbara Thompson, Director of regeneration at Swale Borough Council explained how the process will start. "The consultants will produce a draft master plan of strategies for the regeneration of MiltonCreek and the town centre that takes into account local opinion.

"Further consultation with local people and organisations will help to finalise the master plan and planning guidance that will help potential developers formulate their ideas for Sittingbourne.

"At this point, which could be early in 2009, developers will be invited to put real proposals for an attractive and potentially prosperous centre for consideration by the council."

(CD/JM)