The transformation of Trowbridge town centre was held up as a national model of success at the London Quality Streetscapes urban design conference “Making Places out of Spaces” in May 2003 when the then Town Clerk Doug Ross and Wiltshire County Council transport and development officer Alan Creedy addressed the national audience of urban design experts.

The Vision for Trowbridge was launched to provide a masterplan to guide future development in the town when more than 20 acres of land in the town centre became available for development at the same time.

The county, district and town councils decided to use this opportunity to put a framework in place to try and ensure co-coordinated rather than piecemeal development in the town. A team of 20 consultants from seven organizations gave their input into the design framework and initial plans were unveiled to the public at the West Wilts Show in 2003.

The first step under the vision was the creation of an Urban Design Framework (UDF), which was then adopted by West Wiltshire District Council as supplementary planning guidance in May 2004. Key aims of the UDF included improving facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, enhancing the role of the River Biss and making sure developments are attractive, mixed use and of a high quality.

Transforming Trowbridge, the successor to the Vision for Trowbridge, outlines the next stage in the regeneration of the county town.

Transforming Trowbridge was launched to reflect the fact that the Vision was becoming a reality in the town centre with several developments already under way and others in the pipeline. It brought together a steering group of the South West Regional Development Agency and councilors from the town, district and county as well as business leaders, initially focusing on developing the riverside area of the town.

The Vision split the town into five key zones, with the River Biss used as a catalyst for town centre development. As well as a cinema and bowling complex, plans for the site include a new library, parking, housing and shops along with landscaping of the riverside.

Work at the former Drinkwaters site on County Way has resulted in a new office block (below) and a new development of flats.

Work has begun at the former Tesco site in St Stephen's Place where developer Thyian Investments is building new shops, a restaurant, bar and gym. A planning application by the same developer to revamp the Castle Place shopping centre has been lodged with the District Council.

Full details of the UDF and the Vision for Trowbridge/Transforming Trowbridge are available on the Transforming Trowbridge website.