A SECOND report into the future of strategic development in Salisbury has reiterated calls to improve the Market Place, redesign Fisherton Street and build a hotel with “world class conference facilities” in the Maltings Car Park.

The document, written by Gebler Tooth Architects (GTA), scrutinises the report on planning policy by Alex Tregellas, the former chairman of the now defunct Salisbury Vision.

Mr Tregellas’ infrastructure report, described by the Journal in July, called for a “complete transformation”

of Salisbury’s economy, concentrating on its scientific strengths.

Commissioned by Salisbury City Council and Salisbury Business Improvement District, the GTA report goes into more detail on ideas to improve the looks of the city.

It focuses on Fisherton Street as “rather run down and a place one may not wish to dwell,” adding that “as a primary walking route into the city centre it should create a good first impression”.

The architect’s solution is to create a “processional route into the centre”

using the waterways which run through the city as “intuitive wayfinding markers”.

Work would link the railway station to Fisherton Street with interactive hoarding, giving visitors a first taste of a “revitalised Salisbury”.

The report also backs the idea of building a new hotel in the Maltings, describing it as a “vital part of the short-term strategic plan”.

It said: “This is one element of the overall [plan] that would need addressing in the first phase of the vision regeneration works. The hotel, along with world-class conference facilities, are the significant missing components that currently hinder engagement with Porton and the wider technology community.”

GTA called for a review into congestion saying the “efficient movement of tourists into the Cathedral Close and medieval centre also needs to be addressed”.

“The medieval street plan is not conducive to such large vehicles attempting to navigate their way around,” it said. “There are pollution issues, safety issues and visual amenity issues but to name a few.”

The key proposal of building a technology park at Churchfields was also analysed, with GTA saying a phased approach was needed to develop the site.

Following on from the ideas raised in both parts of the Vision report, a task group is set to be formed to discuss the proposals. It is also understood Wiltshire Council is to due to release its plans for strategic development across the county in the coming weeks.