RESIDENTS in the new South Downs National Park could be left "confused" over who decides what they can build.

The warning came at a Winchester City Council cabinet meeting.

At present, the council decides all schemes ranging from small extensions and pruning protected trees right up to new factories and estates.

However, these powers will be lost in areas covered by South Downs National Park Authority when it launches in 2011.

Winchester's cabinet heard that district councils, like themselves, might still be asked to make decisions on the park authority's behalf.

However, Cllr Keith Wood, cabinet member for planning, said it was unclear how much power would remain in Winchester.

It was also uncertain where applicants would need to send their plans and payments. As a result, it might cause "public confusion", he warned.

The new national park includes large swathes of the eastern part of the district, including the Meon Valley.

Stretching from Winchester to Eastbourne, it also includes no fewer than 15 district councils.

Cllr George Beckett, who leads the Winchester authority, said every district could put one member on the park authority board. As a result, the districts would hold major influence if they banded together, he said.

As a result, he said if the planning issue was not resolved, he would write to all the other districts to urge them to work together.

The cabinet then named Cllr Wood as its member on the park authority.