IMAGINE trams running through Basingstoke streets to a world-class hospital, or youngsters studying at a Basingstoke university attending a rock concert at a 20,000-seater stadium.

That is precisely what Tony Curtis, chief executive of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, has done – and he set out his personal vision of a future that could be achieved if the borough rises to the challenge of embracing change.

Stressing these were his ideas, not those of his borough council employer, the chief executive sketched out the plans before Basingstoke and Deane’s Local Strategic Partnership – which brings together local authorities, organisations representing specific interests, such as road safety and housing, and bodies representing groups, such as the young or elderly.

His one scenario is of a borough that “glows”. He said by becoming bold, ambitious, welcoming to development and supportive of growth, the borough could, in 20 years, have thriving and safe communities, affordable homes of the right type for everyone who wants one, a country park, a snow dome or karting track and an international electronic games festival.

In Mr Curtis’s positive view of the future, the borough could have new interchanges at junctions six and seven of the M3, a western bypass, town centre tram networks, new and improved train stations and good cycle networks.

It could also have a vibrant economy, incorporating eco and climate change technology, a town centre with a high-end store and a reopened canal, top quality broadband and a state-of-the-art energy efficient building for a north Hampshire unitary council.

Mr Curtis said that by 2026, Basingstoke could be one of the smallest cities in the world, and “possibly in the top 100 cities in the world.”

But there was another path that could be taken, warned Mr Curtis – a doom and gloom scenario where change has not happened.

If this happens, the chief executive envisages a borough where unemployment is high, education results poor, major firms have closed, the rural economy has collapsed and Basing View – the major business area that has been earmarked for regeneration – is empty.

In the doom scenario, there would be older people trapped in housing, public services under pressure, rundown 1960 housing areas, social unrest, boarded-up properties, an urban wasteland, no public transport and a drink and drugs culture.

Mr Curtis said he believes the borough has reached a plateau – and now is the time for choices to be made.

“We have lost our ambition, lost our sense of direction,” Mr Curtis told the audience. “Positivity, a can-do attitude, embracing growth, has been replaced by negativity, and a growth-is-bad attitude.

“We are at a crossroads. We could take a negative turn, which is the deprivation scenario, or we can take the positive scenario.

“I came here because I like the place, the vision, the ambition. I think it’s gone and it needs to come back.”