FURIOUS residents have spoken out over a controversial decision by Winchester planners to give the go-ahead to a motocross track.

The dirt track will be built on farmland at Three Maids Hill, South Wonston, despite almost 400 objections from local residents.

Yesterday, as planning chiefs in Winchester voted through the planning application, residents voiced their concerns. They fear noise levels will be unacceptable and say accidents could happen where the venue exits on to Andover Road North.

Martin Reeves, of Christmas Hill, said: "The sounds generated from the track will be even more intrusive and damaging. We are concerned about the effect the extra traffic will have and that vehicles leaving the site will bring dirt on to the A34."

He added that passing the proposals was tantamount to "waiting for an accident to happen".

Speaking after the meeting from their home less than a mile from the site, Mr Reeves' wife Diane added: "We will be appealing the decision as we feel there has been maladministration on the part of the council, particularly over allowing residents to have their say and providing adequate information over the viewing committee meeting on Monday."

Another concerned resident is Myra Hart, 63, also from Christmas Hill. She said: "Considering the amount of people who objected to the application, the council have completely disregarded all of our opinions."

She added: "The exit is on to an extremely treacherous stretch of road. There is also the environmental damage; a small herd of red deer live on the land."

However, Winchester councillors voted unanimously to grant permission for the new track, though limited the races to just 15 meetings a year.

Developer Tony Child, of Eastleigh-based Tonymoto Motorcycles Ltd, also said he would install 5m bunds around the site to further reduce noise, and added that a legitimate track would hopefully stop illegal riding on land much nearer to South Wonston's residents.

Mr Child said: "Work on the site will start as soon as possible."