The council has ambitious  plans to transform Wilmslow into a cultural and economic hub including a theatre, library, sports facilities,  open spaces, shopping areas and extra car parking.

Cheshire East  has joined forces with the town council on a ‘revitalising’ mission which they say looks beyond the current recession to the next 20 years.

Council leader Wesley Fitzgerald said: “This is a period of austerity – but that is exactly the time that you look above and beyond what is here and now.”

Councillors say they will consult business groups, residents and key stakeholders before  plans are drawn up, but aim to have more solid plans by spring 2012.

One key stakeholder is Wilmslow High School. Head Gill Bremner says she envisages developments running from the town’s current leisure centre down through the cricket fields, over Broadway Meadow car park, linking with the school.

This could include a lifestyle centre bringing together  public facilities including leisure, library and the arts.

She said: “We have been trying to persuade the borough council and Cheshire East to start a project like this for many years. We want to expand the playing fields to the north of the school toward any developments, have a new entrance and possibly an underpass on the bypass to reach playing fields.

“We are a major player in terms of lifestyle facility needs so we are a key part of the plan.

“We are working with a lot of different groups on this and all the developments we have had in the school, such as our olympic sports hall, have been with this concept in mind.

“The scale  would have to be decided in public consultation to find the best solution for the people of Wilmslow.”

Coun Fitzgerald said in a statement: “The current generation owes it to future generations to offer a vision for better living and communities that are enhanced and revitalised.”

Wilmslow town council chairman Coun Jim Crockatt said any local financial contribution would be within  budget.

“Cheshire East Council has had success developing other areas of Cheshire East and Wilmslow is an important venue with a high standing in the country as a whole.

“We are very keen to make sure that we take a lead in doing the best we can for Wilmslow, anything that adds to the culture of the town is positive, such as all the benefits of a good theatre.

“We would not lose the current leisure centre without something being first built in its place – but you would only need one.”

He added: “The world can’t stop just because we are having economic difficulties, we have to keep going.

“The final plan is not up to me, it’s not up to the town council, it’s not up to Cheshire East Council - it’s up to the people of Wilmslow who will benefit from it.”

Coun Michael Jones, cabinet member with responsibility for resources, added: “We have already consulted with some stakeholders and other meetings are being held in the near future.

“It is a little too early to talk about the precise plans in detail. Apart from anything else, consultation around the Local Development Framework is not yet finished and the results of this consultation will have a direct influence on the revitalisation plans.

“It is however the right time to talk about the town’s future. It is never too early to ensure that Wilmslow remains a premier market town for the next 20 years.

Coun Jones added: “With Wilmslow having a new town council, this affords the right opportunities to create a vision for central Wilmslow, which will endorse renewal and support for its economy and leisure, arts and sports facilities.

“Funding is dependent, as always, on the details of the plan, which is still being developed.”

Wilmslow town council will  meet in the next few weeks to establish a working group for the project.

They are likely to discuss whether a financial contribution to the town vision work is appropriate.