THE future of a historic riverside spot close to the heart of a Hampshire village looks set to be secured.

A 25-year search for a use for Botley's Bark Store and its parish quay is close to an end thanks to new council proposals.

If given the go-ahead, the plans will secure access for river users to the upper reaches of Hamble for the foreseeable future.

Hampshire County Council, which bought the area ten years ago, is set to lease the quay to the parish council.

That will allow village leaders to kick-start their long-held ambitions to give it a much-needed makeover.

They have plans for new landscaping and a seating area, and to renovate the slipway.

In the meantime, county council chiefs will also give the go-ahead for local boat owners to use the Bark Store for storage.

Parish council chairman Colin Mercer was delighted to hear new life could soon be breathed into the area.

He said: "This is a very nice resolution for the area. It will take a little while to get it up to scratch but we can now put it into our plans."

The suggested lease comes after long-

running plans for the store to be used as a museum were dismissed as unworkable.

County council leader councillor Ken Thornber is set to consider approving the new proposals on Thursday. If he gives them the go-ahead, the parish council will still have to win the approval of its landlords for any makeover.