CONTROVERSIAL proposals to spend £150,000 of taxpayers’ money on costumes, garden games and other items for an historic house are back in the spotlight this week.

Last month, council chiefs withdrew a decision to spend the money on Basing House in Old Basing, after councillors from Labour and Basingstoke First Community Party demanded a review, arguing the money would be better spent on other causes.

Councillor Keith Chapman, Cabinet member for sport and leisure, said he withdrew the decision so he could argue the case for the funding more fully.

On Wednesday, members of the borough’s community wellbeing overview and scrutiny committee will examine spending the money to support Hampshire County Council’s major conservation project for the site which was the scene of a prolonged siege in the Civil War.

The project, which would also create a visitor and education centre, has received a £1.1million Heritage Lottery Fund award and £600,000 in county funding. But it is £300,000 short of what is needed to complete all aspects of the scheme and Hampshire has sought £150,000 from the borough to help fill the gap.

A £50,000 wooden viewing tower, garden games worth £2,000 and costumes for guides and interpreters costing £4,000 are among the items earmarked for the borough’s money.

A report for the committee, prepared by Therese Lawlor, the borough’s head of strategy and innovation, stated the scheme would have a positive impact on the local economy.

“Visitors are planned to increase from the current 8,000 per annum to 40,000 per annum by year five which will help protect jobs and increase spending in the local economy,” it states.

The report says the project should improve the experience of Basing House visitors, including schoolchildren, and the borough’s reputation for what it offers residents and visitors.