DETAILED proposals for the future of Barbury Castle are set to be made public in the New Year.

Swindon Council has confirmed in a committee report that it wants to turn the historic site near Wroughton into a tourist attraction by extending public access and improving facilities.

It is expected to publish details of its plans next month before asking members of the public what they think of them.

The Advertiser revealed earlier this year that the castle was due to be developed with a new cafe and visitor centre.

The council refused to give any details of the plans at the time, but confirmed that the tenants of the neighbouring Ridgeway Farm, Lynne and Brian Simpson, had been served with an eviction notice to leave by next May.

The council has now admitted the timing was unfortunate, given that it came amid the foot and mouth outbreak, which had ravaged the farm and forced the castle to close for several months.

Mr and Mrs Simpson have, however, been offered the tenancy of a similar sized farm within the borough from March next year, which is said to have better land and fewer restrictions on farming practices.

The council, which owns the 2,000-year-old hill fort, claims it needs the adjacent farmland to improve visitor access to the castle and give it a higher profile.

Barbury Castle has long been a popular attraction, but it is felt that more people could experience its historical gems and gentle walks if it was turned into a country park similar to Coate Water and Lydiard Park.

A report to Tuesday's transport, environment and neighbourhood services com-mission meeting explains how the changes are taking place.

It states that the council will lose £6,400 a year from removing the lease, but that income will be recovered in the long term through the development initiatives.

They will include a number of sideline initiatives, the report said, including a cafe, from which the council "may potentially derive additional revenue opportunities".

The report said: "Swindon Services will be working on proposals for the continuation and improvement of all the facilities at Barbury Castle during the next few months.

"No arrangements have yet been agreed, but public consultation will take place in due course. However, it is likely that there will be changes to access allowing greater freedom to the public over a larger area of Barbury Castle and the farmland."

Bronze Age artefacts have been found at Barbury Castle site, although the fort itself only dates from about 1000BC. There is evidence of around 40 hut circles, which suggests a population of hundreds of people in 400BC during the Iron Age.