ELY S Masterplan is on the drawing board to help the city meet the demands of the 21st century. The plan is designed to create a clear vision for the future over the next 20 years and will include retail and business growth and the development of public s

ELY'S Masterplan is on the drawing board to help the city meet the demands of the 21st century.

The plan is designed to create a clear vision for the future over the next 20 years and will include retail and business growth and the development of public spaces.

It was also investigate the ways in which people move round the city.

A draft report will be produced before the end of the year with a period of consultation on the findings to follow in the New Year. The report recommendations will also feed into the East Cambridgeshire Local Development Framework, the statutory local plan which sets out strategic planning policies and proposals for the whole district.

Councillor Peter Moakes, chairman of the East Cambridgeshire District Council's strategic development committee, said: "Everyone knows that Ely is a fast growing city, with an increasing population and a demand from businesses to locate here. The danger with all this demand for improved infrastructure, for major developments, for public spaces is that growth can get out of hand, can be uncoordinated, eventually blighting the city rather than improve it. The question is how do we effectively manage this growth?