THE virtual online world of Minecraft, played by millions of people around the world, could soon help shape the future infrastructure and building plans of Newtown.

Minecraft is normally used by online gamers around the world to shape their own virtual worlds for fun.

But building design and planning consultants Hughes Architects is in the process of working with councillors and students to use the platform to “build” the future of Newtown in Powys.

The architects’ has had discussions with the town council which received a presentation on the technology from the architects and NPTC Group’s college in the town to develop a virtual Newtown where ideas can be “tested” out virtually to help shape its physical future.

Managing director Doug Hughes said: “We’d seen and discussed a project with Brecon Beacons National Park Authority where they worked with schoolchildren in Hay-on-Wye to build a virtual town, allowing the young people to help shape ideas and provide an insight for planners.

“While it might sound a bit crazy, Minecraft is a great platform on which to engage with young people and others in the community to test ideas and get people involved in architecture and planning.”

A virtual Newtown is currently being developed in Minecraft by Hughes Architects, mapped with all the main town centre buildings and roads developed on the platform.

The next stage will be to get the community involved by developing ideas where they can shape the future of the town.

“They will be able to develop new buildings, recreation areas, roads and housing to see how they fit in with the existing environment and infrastructure. We hope these ideas could, in part, lead to future ideas for developing the town as part of plans by private developers, Powys County Council and others,” added Doug.

“We’re just a year away from having the town’s bypass opened and this is a great way to gain insight into how our town could develop through the ideas and eyes of young people and others in our community with something that’s engaging and exciting.”