PEOPLE wanting to have their voice heard on how the future of Basingstoke and Deane will look only have a few weeks left.

As part of the Horizon 2050 project, people are being asked to have their say on a draft vision for the borough before the consultation closes on Sunday, 19 August.

Through the Horizon 2050 initiative the aim is to set an ambitious and aspirational shared vison to ensure that residents have high quality homes, jobs and leisure and community facilities for decades to come.

This will drive and provide the foundations for far-reaching decisions about the future, setting the direction for the borough council and other partners’ work.

The draft vision has been drawn up with the input of lots of different organisations and residents, contributing their ideas through workshops and events to help determine what is important and right for the future of the borough, coupled with research and evidence papers.

It has been broken down into key themes: economy and entrepreneurship transport, the homes we’ll live in, education, sustainability, environment and healthy and resilient communities with influence.

Chair of the Basingstoke Strategic Partnership and principal of Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT), Anthony Bravo, said: “It’s an exciting time for the Horizon 2050 project. The new draft vision gives people across the borough an excellent opportunity to see what’s being planned for the future, what thoughts and views have been expressed so far and contribute to the final plan.

“I encourage everyone to get involved in the consultation and think ahead to help shape the development of Basingstoke and Deane for the better.”

Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Cllr Clive Sanders, added: “It’s the hard work, imagination and foresight shown in previous decades that has made Basingstoke and Deane so great today.

“The Horizon 2050 project aims to build on this legacy, showcasing our borough’s established strengths but also helping to secure investment and support for a bright and brilliant future.

“This is a plan made for the community, by the community, which is why it’s so important for people to have their say on the draft vision. It may seem like a long time away but now is the time to plan for the future and be a part of shaping how our borough will look for our children and our children’s children.”

To view the draft plan and comment on the project, visit: basingstoke.gov.uk/horizon2050.