CAMPAIGNERS have urged Winchester City Council to update its planning policies to protect Greenfield land against development.

It came after the Campaign to Protect Rural England's planning and policy group met on December 17 at Easton Village Hall to review its year and plan campaigns for 2013.

They warned all local authorities that if their local plans are out of date, developers could get the upper hand with appeals to planning inspectors.

The city council debated the first part of its new local plan at a public inquiry in November, with another to follow next year.

CPRE has also asked for volunteers to represent the body in discussions for Eastleigh's local plan, also currently being prepared.

The most important issues CPRE identified for next year are local plans and minimising the use of Greenfield land; helping local groups steer development in their communities and protecting 'ordinary' land not designated for development.