PLANS to transform Salisbury’s Market Place into a cosmopolitan square rivalling cities in Europe will go ahead in the next 12 months.

Despite fears the project could be cancelled due to funding difficulties, Wiltshire Council has confirmed the £3m regeneration scheme for the city will start next year.

In a letter to Ian Newman, chairman of Salisbury City Centre Management, council leader Jane Scott said the council is committed to working with partners to take the Vision for Salisbury forward.

Mr Newman said: “On behalf of the members of City Centre Management and the wider business community I would like to thank Jane Scott for her part in ensuring that this important project goes ahead.

“This will be the first major Vision project to be delivered and it will play a major part in helping Salisbury compete with its neighbouring towns and cities who are all investing millions of pounds in new developments.”

The council also confirmed it has appointed a team to plan improvements to the city’s other public areas, including streets and pavements.

This was seen as an important step by Mr Newman, who said residents regularly complain about the state of the city’s streets.

“They have been left to fall into disrepair for too long,” he said. “At least now we will have a costed plan showing when and where the city’s streets will be repaired and improved.”