CAMPAIGNERS fighting to preserve downland near Winchester say potentially controversial plans for a knowledge park may be the least worst option.

The Bushfield Campaign Group wants to preserve the 65-acre piece of land on the southern edge of the city.

Its future is again in question after the city council agreed to support plans for a ‘knowledge park’, a base for high-tech research, in its planning blueprint.

The landowner, the Church Commissioners, has offered the bulk of the land to the city council if it can develop the knowledge park on the former military camp off Badger Farm Road.

Barbara Guthrie, spokeswoman for the campaign group, said such an offer would preserve the downland for ever.

She said: “It is a very important piece of land for the future, a very historic site. The views of Winchester are unparalleled, a wonderful piece of greenbelt between Winchester and Eastleigh and Chandler’s Ford.

“The camp itself is in a terrible state. It would cost millions to restore it.

“A knowledge park is certainly better than housing. It may well be the least worst option.

“We would be very relieved to think that Bushfield Down would be protected for future use. It would be wonderful if most of the down was turned into a real country park.”

Last year the group applied to have the land listed as a town or village green to preserve access rights. It is awaiting a decision by the county council.

A local farmer, Jody Ford, fenced off some of the land in 2003, sparking a dispute with many walkers.

Much of the down is farmed, but that use would be in doubt should the land be transferred to the council.

The current farmer is Keith Mannerings, of Attwoods Drove Farm, near Compton.

He said he is realistic that the land may be lost to farming.

Mr Mannerings said he currently has it grassed and has planted forage maize to feed his cattle in the winter.

“We always knew it would probably be short term,” he said.

“It is a brownfield site and much of it is prime building land. It has been extremely useful for growing extra crops.”

Mr Mannerings said he was happy about public access to the down.

“We welcome it. Where people cut fences we put a stile and have made it as accessible as possible,” he added.