TWO major public inquires will be held in Winchester next week with the return of housing at Barton Farm and motocross at Three Maids Hill.

The motocross scheme beside the A34 north of the city has attracted hundreds of objections.

The separate plan for 2,000 homes just south of it at Barton Farm, east of Andover Road, has also triggered major objections.

Winchester City Council has already blocked Cala Homes twice in its aim to put housing on the greenfield site.

It is now seeking permission at a public inquiry, and has been to the High Court twice in recent weeks to strengthen its case.

Mike Emett, the company’s land director, said the court – which has already sided with the developer once – was due to announce the result of the second legal challenge on Monday (February 7).

Cala wants it to rule that no weight should be given to Government proposals to scrap regional planning targets.

Westminster’s aim to shelve the figures – which call for 12,000 homes in the Winchester district – is a vital part of the case for campaigners trying to save Barton Farm.

It is widely considered that keeping the 12,000 target makes the development more likely.

Mr Emett said: “I suspect the High Court’s decision on Monday will influence the way the inquiry goes but I don’t think it is make or break, either way.

“We feel we have a very strong case that Barton Farm should be released now, but it is a lottery to a large extent and we don’t know how it will pan out.”

Gavin Blackman, who chairs the Save Barton Farm Group, urged as many people to attend the inquiry as possible.

He said: “We need as many people as possible to come along and show their support for what we are doing.

“We need to keep the defence going. We need to turn up and give a credible account of ourselves.

“Should the decision not go our way, it will not be the end of the campaign. We would appeal the decision and we still have a national campaign up our sleeves.

“There is a long way from the decision going against us to the first brick being built. There is still plenty to play for.

“I think the planning officers at Winchester want Barton Farm developed. They want Winchester to grow.”

The inspector can only make a recommendation and the secretary of state Eric Pickles will make the final decision.

The inquiry is expected to last eight days and will start at Winchester Guildhall on Tuesday (February 8).

The same day, the inquiry into whether motocross can take place at Three Maids Hill will begin at the Wessex Hotel nearby.

It is expected to last three days and residents in Littleton, South Wonston and other villages nearby are hoping to block the plan.

However, motocross fans, who campaigned for the track to open in 2004, will make their case that the temporary permission given to it should become permanent.