SESSIONS to let city residents help create a vision for York's future are to be held early next week.

The Without Walls team is holding drop-in sessions to hear local people's views on how they want the city to develop.

The project aims to devise a plan for York, and set out steps needed to achieve that vision.

It is already involving more than 100 city organisations, and aims to put public opinion at the centre of discussions.

Project director Paul Murphy said: "We do not yet know what form this vision will take, but it will most likely present us with a series of strategic choices and issues for the people of York to choose.

"Allowing local people to shape the vision is seen as vital to the success of the Without Walls project."

Themes put forward for possible discussion include:

A 21st century city of villages and neighbourhoods

A modern historic city

A city of health and well-being

A city based on creativity and knowledge

The hub of a progressive European region.

Councillor Dave Merrett, City of York Council leader and chairman of the Without Walls partnership, said: "The draft vision will be the subject of widespread discussion and local consultation in the New Year.

"That is the important thing. The ultimate vision for York will be determined not by a group of consultants, not by the executive board, not even by the Without Walls partnership, but by the people of York."

The sessions will be held in the Guildhall between 11am and 2pm on Monday and Tuesday.

There will be visitors' books in which residents can record their views.

Comments will be passed on to consultants company URBED, which has been employed to collect local views and turn them into a draft vision.

Updated: 09:52 Friday, December 13, 2002