CAMPAIGNERS are planning more legal action to block controversial plans for an extension to Winchester's park-and-ride site if a pending judicial review fails.

Local residents claim they have three additional legal actions up their sleeve to prevent a popular meadow, at Bar End, being churned up for parking spaces.

Stanmore mother-of-two Louise Wheeler, backed by the Winchester Meadows Conservation Alliance, has won her appeal for a judicial review, but the case has yet to be heard.

The campaigners hope to prevent the Highways Agency from selling the meadow to Hampshire County Council for the provision of an additional 428 parking spaces at Bar End.

The community was given the meadow to compensate for the loss of Twyford Down when the M3 was extended.

Chairman of the meadows conservation alliance Keith Story pledged that the battle would continue if the High Court case proved unsuccessful.

He told the Winchester movement and access joint members panel: "The first legal action by residents to stop the Bar End meadowland scheme has so far blocked it for six months and could result in cancellation of government approval for it.

"Three additional legal actions by residents are planned, but it is hoped these won't be necessary."

In his deputation he urged the panel to scrap the proposals on the grounds that it was not good value for money, breaches too many policies and lacks public support.

He asked members to bring forward plans for additional park-and-ride schemes in other parts of Winchester, as well as introducing dedicated buses and car-pooling schemes for major employers to reduce car usage.

"It is time to remove the unsettling development shadow hanging over the Bar End meadowlands," he added.

Members, who indicated that they did not agree with all Mr Story's views, have instructed officers to prepare a detailed report in response to his deputation.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.