Ashton Court is home to the city's Balloon Fiesta

The officials plan to tour the site and examine the nine proposals which have been put forward by owners, Bristol City Council.

The estate, home to the city's Balloon Fiesta and an annual two-day music festival, could be boosted by a variety of new facilities.

They include four new car parks, a new golf pavilion and greens, a pedestrian underpass, a new road access and revamped public toilets.

Bristol City Council has applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund to help fund the project.

But the council still has to receive full planning permission for the changes from North Somerset Council, which has been consulting nearby residents over the plans.

The council is under pressure to make a decision on the site because Bristol City's applications are to be considered on 11 September - just five days before Heritage Lottery Fund trustees discuss the funding for the project.

They say they cannot award any formal grant until planning permission has been determined by North Somerset council.

Formerly the family home of the Smyths, Ashton Court Estate is now an 850-acre country park.