We were recently approached by people living near the Three Maids Hill area north of Winchester who are rightly concerned about the recent planning application (deadline recently extended to 28th May) to expand the site, increase its hours of use and make the site permanent.

We at Winchester Green Party are strongly opposed to this application.

Whilst we understand that some people enjoy motocross, we think the amount of noise - a very annoying and constantly changing buzz - produced by these motorbikes means the idea of having very regular or daily meetings and races there is unacceptable. There are places in the country that already have such courses and we think any new trails or extensions of use should occur in already noise-polluted places - not north Winchester where 3,000 homes are a mile from the course.

If we really must have more bikes and regular sports meetings in Winchester's rural surroundings, I propose the quiet, non-polluting and extremely fitness-enhancing sports of mountain biking and BMXing is given some space and investment instead.