DO as little as possible: so say consultants paid £10,200 to find a future for Southwick Country Park.

West Wiltshire District Council commissioned the 13-page report, which recommends renaming the area Southwick Country Walks to lower people's expectations'. Kit Campbell Associates' report concludes: "The most sensible approach will be to do the absolute minimum at Southwick."

The report considered mini, midi and maxi schemes for the 152 acres of land, bought for millions in 1989 amid ambitious plans for a golf course, leisure centre and hotel which never got off the drawing board.

The maxi scheme included a sailing lake, sports pitches, floodlit BMX/skateboard park, visitor centre and car parking: it has been deemed too expensive and high risk, at a start-up cost of £3.5m. The report warns the project could lose at least £100,000 a year in revenue.

The midi scheme, with orienteering, children's story trails and disc golf, is also considered too expensive and high risk, at a £60-70,000 year start-up cost and £20,000 a year running costs. The mini scheme, which is the recommended option at a cost of £15,000, advises the council to simply put in a better noticeboard at the entrance, pictured above, extra signs and picnic tables.

The land was renamed Southwick Country Park and opened to the public in 1995. It has a car park, some surfaced paths, information boards and some sculptures, but no facilities such as a visitor centre, public toilets or on-site staff.

Last May former leisure portfolio holder Cllr Terry Chivers insisted there were "excellent possibilities" to develop the country park.

This week council leader Cllr Sarah Content said: "There is a short term and a long term issue for Southwick Country Park.

"No definite decisions have been made. The cabinet will consider the report and can make some recommendations of its own." The cabinet meets on Wednesday.

  • Work is almost complete on a 12-acre plot in the park which has been leased to Hope Nature Centre. The £250,000 centre, due to open at the end of May, will include a nature trail, children's play area and tea shop and will provide employment for up to 40 adults with learning difficulties.