EXPERTS, residents, and businesses are set to be part of a massive consultation to build a picture of how the county will look in three decades.

Called Hampshire 2050, civic chiefs say they want to better understand the future landscape in a bid to prepare for the economic, technological, and transport changes that are to come.

Hampshire County Council leader Roy Perry says this will make sure the authority knows where to focus as the local, national, and international pictures change.

“If we do not know where we are going, we sure won’t get there,” said Cllr Perry.

The  review will be looking at six key areas including the demographic and societal changes; economy; work, skills and lifestyle; environment and quality of place; mobile connectivity and energy; and rural Hampshire.

The council leader added: “Hampshire is great place to live and work, with a prosperous economy, rich and diverse environment and good quality of life.

“There is no doubt the world is changing and over the next 30 years, there will be significant changes that will affect everyday life; from the digital revolution to advances in healthcare and changes patterns in work, and change in climate and weather patterns.

“These changes are happening at a rapid pace, bringing with them huge challenges.

“This is why we have set up a commission of inquiry – Hampshire 2050 – to examine some of the key themes that will have an impact on all of us into the future.

“We want to gather views from experts and communities about these changes and how we need to adapt to ensure a good future for Hampshire.”

The authority says Hampshire 2050 will link to national projects, such as the government’s 25-year environment plan and its focus on housing and infrastructure to inform potential economic deals for Hampshire.

Residents are now invited to complete an online questionnaire on each of the six key themes about what may happen in the future, what the impact of this will be, and how the county council and partner organisations need to respond to this.

Responses will then be used as evidence at several meetings to be held later in the year.

Cllr Perry said: “We are calling for expert evidence to be presented to a panel of commissioners who represent a wide cross section of the population of different ages and backgrounds.

“We want to gather this evidence and hear from the wider community so we can develop a vision which will put Hampshire in the best possible position for future generations.”

A full report on the findings will be published in the summer of 2019.