THE controversial restoration of Gosport's Fort Gilkicker could still be on the cards if Hampshire's planners get their way.

A bid to see a workable plan rise from the ashes of the Phoenix Trust Foundation homes debacle is set to be launched today.

The foundation, headed by Prince Charles, pulled out of the original £5m 17-apartment restoration project last month to the delight of opponents.

That decision could leave its county council partners - and the taxpayer - picking up the bill for the fort's future upkeep and security.

But council leader Ken Thornber is being urged to give planners a quick go-ahead to find a way of securing the fort's future.

All alternative uses for the 19th century fort - which is now a Grade II listed building and a scheduled ancient monument - are to be considered.

Any homes scheme on the scale of that originally proposed will depend on a new partner being found.

County council chiefs say the authority is unable to take the risk of developing the fort as a residence on its own.

But with planning and listed building consents already in place, there is little to stand in the way of alternative - if less ambitious - schemes.

Andrew Smith, the council's director of property, said officers would be reappraising the original scheme while looking at all other options.

He said: "These possibilities will be progressed without delay. Meanwhile, the property is secured but not available for public access and may have to face a longer than expected period without any formal use.

"This will mean an early assessment of the public safety and security issues, measures to protect the fabric of the building as well as investigating the options for its future use.

"Initially, the security and protection arrangements will be unavoidable expenditure. These costs can be met from current budgets."

But campaigners who want to see the fort restored have rubbished the idea of any housing development going ahead after the Phoenix Trust pulled out.

Don Gordon from the Fort Gilkicker Action Group said: "I think any plans to develop the fort now would be a non-starter. If the Phoenix Trust who are specialists in the field do not think the project is viable then no developer would take it on as they would be in it for the profit.

"No amount of money the flats would raise could be recouped by the amount spent on restoration and construction work.

Councillor Thornber will discuss the fort's future during his executive member meeting today.