AN inquiry that could give extra protection to downland at Winchester will start next month (March).

Part of Bushfield Camp contained an army base until the 1970s and has been linked with several developments since then.

It has included supermarkets and more recently a ‘Knowledge Park’ for hi-tech firms.

But campaigners want to protect the downland beside Badger Farm Road from the bulldozers.

They formed Bushfield Down Supporters Group (BDSG) a decade ago to preserve it for future generations.

They have since applied to have it legally classed as a village green, giving it more protection.

After several years of legal wrangling, the issue will come before a public inquiry on Monday, March 19.

Campaigners will have to overcome two hurdles to secure the village green status.

The first is to prove that their bid, which involved reams of paperwork, was properly made.

Lawyers for the Church Commissioners, who own the land, are expected to argue that it was flawed.

That issue alone is likely to take up the first day of the inquiry at Hampshire County Council’s HQ in Winchester.

If the campaigners win that battle, the issue will be adjourned and another hearing will be held later this year.

BDSG founder John Leonard said: “Bushfield Camp has been linked with industry and housing but we believe that it should be protected because of its environmental benefit and importance.”

To secure village green status, campaigners must prove there has been public access to Bushfield Camp for at least 20 years.

While sections were fenced off in 2003, they will argue that there was total access for more than two decades before then.

The downland is currently named as an ‘opportunity site’ in Winchester City Council’s draft 20-year masterplan.

If the strategy is approved later this year, it could leave the door open to the site being developed in the long term.