A parish council has given city planners an ultimatum either to meet them before the end of the month or see them in court.

Twyford Parish Council is demanding talks over the Northfields Farm site, operated by Humphrey Farms, off Hazeley Road.

Winchester City Council gave permission for four poultry sheds to be converted to industrial use last June.

Parish members objected, saying it would create too much traffic and was out of character. The parish council conducted a poll in the village last week to see if they should seek a judicial review. Of the 1,158 people on the electoral register in Twyford, 85 supported the review and 81 objected.

The parish council decided to hold fire on the judicial review until Friday, April 30th, to allow time for extra talks with city planners.

Parish clerk, Vivienne Brooks, prepared a report for the council. It stated that many residents were concerned about the overall state of Northfields Farm.

The report added that some of the activities at the farm flaunted planning rules.

Winchester City Council compiled its own report last month, which found that some regulations had been broken.

City planners said a few poultry sheds were engaged in industrial use without permission. Other breaches included the opening of a new farm office and a clinic moving into the old office.

Robin Cooper is director of development services at Winchester City Council. He said they wanted to discuss the farm's future with the owners and the parish council.

"We do need to get around a table - that's clearly the way forward - and we can then work out a master plan for the next 10 years."

MD of Humphrey Farms, Jonathan Humphrey, said they were keen to meet both councils and wanted to set a date.

He hopes that all three parties can agree a long-term plan for the farm, and reduce the current tension between the groups.

Mr Humphrey said he could not give details of the company's plans, as they were in "a very early stage".

If the three groups do not meet within three weeks, Twyford Parish Council intends to go to court.

Anticipating an expensive legal fight, the parish council has amassed a warchest with residents donating £10,000 towards the predicted £40,000 legal bill for the judicial review.

The remaining cash will be raised through the parish precept, which is set to soar by 47% to become the highest in the district.