THE saga over the status of Bushfield Down near Winchester moves to the Court of Appeal in London next month.

Winchester resident Barbara Guthrie and the Bushfield Down Supporters Group are attempting to have it given town and village green status which would strengthen its protection from development.

The owners, the Church Commissioners, are resisting that attempt and have appealed against a High Court decision in June 2013 that ruled the county council had followed the correct procedure.

The hearing has been listed for the appeal court on February 5-6.

Mrs Guthrie said she hoped the court would reject the Church Commissioners’ action, opening the way for a public inquiry into the application.