People in Chippenham are being asked what they want to see an eyesore area of the town used for in the future.

A 144-page blueprint looking at the future shape of Chippenham is at the centre of a six-week public consultation exercise.

The document, which has been six years in the making, looks at issues such as housing, transport, environmental protection, shops, and employment between now and the year 2038.

The Chippenham Neighbourhood Plan process has gathered thoughts from experts, local organisations and people on key areas of the town, such as the underutilised riverside area, and the High Street.

But one of the knottiest questions that the blueprint tackles is the future of the area around the Bridge roundabout and Bath Road car park, which is owned by Wiltshire Council.

New shops, cafes and a square have been mooted.

The document says: “The Bath Road Car Park/Bridge Centre site represents a longstanding blight on Chippenham town centre and is a key regeneration opportunity for the town.

“The site has been the subject of several development proposals during the last three decades which have failed to come to fruition due to a combination of factors including the need to alter the gyratory system which divides the site, the impact of recent recessions, and the impact of out-of-town shopping trends – all of which have affected the financial viability of development.”

The one-time youth centre in the middle of the Bridge roundabout was demolished six years ago, leaving a derelict wasteland at the town’s busiest junction.

The nearby car park is surrounded by a mixture of buildings, including disused market sheds and the listed Bank House.

A dream outlined in the plan – which has been produced by the town council and submitted to the county council – is to create a new public square area to kickstart new development.

“The site represents an opportunity to provide an extension to the town centre and create a unique ‘place’, with new buildings arranged around a new public square to help create this ‘place’.

Development of the site would initiate an exciting growth phase of the town centre, to match the growth of the town as a whole and meet the needs of the expanded community.”

It suggests the roads in the area could be redesigned, with the eastern side of the roundabout scrapped, and the western side turned into a two-way street. That would allow the Bridge zone to become part of the town centre, with shops, offices or a multi-storey car park among the possibilities there.

New cafes and bars could take the place of the old market shed in Bath Road, and could also be sited along the north side of what is currently the car park. The centre of the car park could be transformed into a public square, perhaps with an art installation or a water feature.

Once the blueprint is adopted, civic leaders would hope that developers might be encouraged to submit applications, and work in partnership with local authorities.

The Chippenham Neighbourhood Plan consultation exercise runs until September 5, with people able to express their views via Wiltshire Council’s consultation portal.