THE document which will help bring Blackpool's Masterplan to life was launched this week.

The new local plan to take the town through to 2016 will determine how different areas are developed.

The Masterplan announced by the council last month was a broad brush picture of how the resort will be redeveloped. But the new document will help determine precisely how different areas may be used.

The draft plan was discussed by the council's executive committee this week but it will be open for public debate after its publication before Christmas.

Public consultations will run to the end of February before another draft is drawn up late in 2003.

"This is an important document that will provide everyone with the chance to comment on the future development of their town," said Coun Roy Lewis, executive member for regeneration and tourism.

"Everyone now accepts that there needs to be some fundamental changes in the face Blackpool presents to the world and the facilities it provides."

Interest in the plan will revolve around the town centre and resort areas which will be influenced by consultants who sketched the new Masterplan for the resort area.

The plan identifies potential casino development between the Pleasure Beach and North Shore as well as other investment sites and the need for improved transport.

But the plan also covers other vital areas such as housing, industrial development, environment and access and mobility.

For housing no new major greenfield developments are envisaged and there will be neighbourhood action plans to improve the environment.

There are no new business sites but there are plans to improve the Squires Gate and Sycamore Estates.

There will be tighter controls on the quality of new development with land at Warren Drive, Norbreck, reserved as green space rather than the current proposed office space.

The tramway is identified as a potential major transport facility for the whole Fylde and there will be improved traffic circulation around the town centre.