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

If it is given the green light, the park will 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.

But city bosses in Winchester objected to the proposed national park, saying it was unnecessary and could be counter-productive.

The city council sent its objections to the government, saying park status would mean more bureaucracy, give no greater protection to the downland countryside between Winchester and East Sussex and might 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."

Civic chiefs also argued that local control would lose out to the more remote national park board.

The proposed park would be the largest and most populous national park in Britain, encompassing 15 local authority areas and more than 180 parish councils.

Countryside campaigners say the national park inquiry has been a positive process.

Jane Cecil, head of finest countryside at the Countryside Agency, said: "We do not believe that we have heard anything at this inquiry to change our mind that all of the land we have designated meets the high standards required to be England's newest national park.

"National park status is the best way of providing the protection and management that the South Downs urgently needs."

The government inspector supervising the inquiry will now prepare a report and recommendations for the government to consider.

It is thought a decision on the national park and its boundaries will be reached in late 2005.