AFTER 13 months, 5,800 representations and evidence from 147 individuals and organisations, the public inquiry into the proposed South Downs National Park is to finish today.

If given the green light the move would see the park stretch from Winchester in the west across mid-Hampshire to Sussex in the east.

Countryside chiefs say the long-running inquiry has reflected the immense value of the South Downs to many people.

Although city bosses in Winchester have objected to the proposed national park by claiming it would be unnecessary and could be counter-productive, only a handful of objections have been registered by Meon Valley residents. David Thompson, senior adviser for the Countryside Agency, said there had been no significant objections to park boundaries from Meon Valley residents: "I think the inquiry has gone very well. People from the Meon Valley area seem to have accepted it.

"There were a few objections about the boundaries around Bishop's Waltham but nothing more in the area. If anything people wanted to see more land included with the Meon Valley boundary being taken right down to the sea towards Gosport. We don't think that would push it too far."

Winchester City Council sent its objections to the government, saying the park would introduce a layer of bureaucracy, give no greater protection to the downland countryside between Winchester and East Sussex and could attract unwanted development.

Councillor Cecily Sutton said: "The idea of a national park is appealing to people who have not looked into the background of what will happen. There will still be development. People will think once there is a national park it is fixed in perpetuity. This isn't so."

The proposed park would be the largest and most populated national park in Britain, encompassing areas covered by 15 local authorities and more than 180 parish councils.

The inspector supervising the inquiry will now prepare a report and recommendations. A decision on the national park and its boundaries should be reached in late 2005.