RESIDENTS have until the end of this week to submit their ideas for the future of the Sturminster Marshall area.

The deadline for the return of a parish-wide questionnaire has been extended until April 30.

Already, suggestions have ranged from simple measure such as more cycle paths and bridleways to ambitious schemes such as bypasses and an Olympic size swimming pool.

The ideas will be looked at closely and a report produced by the Sturminster Marshall Parish Plan Steering Group to the parish council to follow through.

The steering group also aims to identify possible funding sources which will help the village turn some of its dreams into reality.

A total of 750 questionnaires have been distributed around the parish and around a third have been returned.

Peter Morey, secretary of the group, said: "We have had some good responses covering a range of topics.

"We want to construct a wish list of what people would like over the next 10 years. When all the responses are in we will look at people's comments and their wishes and see what money is available."

He added: "A report will then be presented to the parish council. We will do a lot of the ground work to find out what government bodies can do what."

Residents in the village and neighbouring communities of Almer, Henbury, Mapperton, Newton Peveril and Stoney Down have all been invited to take part in the survey and will be given a written response showing which of their wish list items are feasible and within what sort of timescale.

The steering group, which is supported by East Dorset Community Partnership, expects to make its report to the parish council in June.

Mr Morey said: "We've had a lot of interest and responses from a wide cross-section of people, and a lot of people are complimentary about the standard of living in the village and its current facilities."

Local business leaders are also being consulted as part of the survey.

First published: April 26