Winchester planners have rejected proposals for a permanent moto-cross track, but two major events are still scheduled this summer.

Promoter, Steve Dixon, wanted permission for earthworks and paddock area, and to create jumps at the proposed venue at Matterley Basin, near Cheesefoot Head.

The site lies within the proposed South Downs National Park and objectors said the events would wreck the area.

Planning committee members voted 10-2 against the scheme, but a defiant Mr Dixon said the show would go on, adding that the decision, rather than stopping events, would only increase the difficulty of preparing the site.

"Planning permission to keep the track after the June event would have minimised the disruption," he added.

Landowners can host motocross events for up to 14 days a year, athough if Mr Dixon conducts the engineering works. the council can take enforcement action.

Mr Dixon said he was disappointed by the city's "Nimby attitude" towards the two major events he is planning.

The British Motocross Grand Prix will be held on June 17-18, with 10,000 expected. Mr Dixon and Bike It Promotions also hold the rights to stage the event until 2009, which they hope to do at Matterley Basin.

On September 23-24, up to 35,000 are expected at the Motocross of Nations. "It's the Olympics of motocross. Two hundred million people will watch it on TV.

"It's a shame the committee has not got one person involved in sport. They are all old school," said Winchester-raised Mr Dixon, 42, who runs a grand prix racing team, based in Swanmore.

Earlier, members had rejected their officers' recommendation to approve the proposals and thereby give the council some control.

Senior planning officer, John Hearn, said planning permission was vital. "It is highly unlikely that they would be able to run a grand prix without the engineering works for ramps," he added.

Labour group leader, Patrick Davies, said: "It is totally inappropriate. They must have known approval was needed for the engineering works. It sounds like a deliberate ploy not to put one in, so they had a gun to our heads."

Philip Owens, of Winchester Ramblers, said the Matterley estate was being increasingly developed. "It's becoming a theme park, rather than pristine countryside."