A conservation group is to run an alternative test of public opinion on plans for the future of a country park.

The Friends of Stanmer Park has launched its own survey because it is unhappy with Brighton and Hove City Council's official consultation exercise.

Jamie Hooper, who chairs the group, said a questionnaire produced as part of the consultation was biased towards favouring the council's plans.

He said 3,000 of the leaflets had been produced, only enough for about one per cent of people who use Stanmer Park, Brighton.

He said: "We feel this consultation should be fair and open ... as opposed to some sort of fig leaf which will let them get on with what they want to do."

The group, which is chiefly concerned about barring vehicles from the park, said it would produce at least 5,000 of its own leaflets.

Mr Hooper said: "What I would like to do is give out as many as we can to people who visit the park and deliver them to people in the Coldean and Moulsecoomb areas, because they are the people who live closest to the park."

The unofficial exercise will run until June 30, in tandem with the official consultation.

The council hopes restricting vehicle access will stop joyriders and fly-tippers from damaging the park.

Last year 50 abandoned cars and tonnes of illegally dumped rubbish had to be removed.

Visitors would have to use a car park at the entrance, which would be linked to Stanmer village by shuttle bus.

Environment councillor Gill Mitchell said joyriding and fly- tipping needed to be controlled to help win funding for wider plans to restore the historic park.

She said the Friends of Stanmer Park could comment as part of the consultation exercise in the same way as other individuals or groups.

She said: "I believe that consultation process is perfectly fair. "We obviously welcome any views, including those of Mr Hooper and the Friends of Stanmer Park."

A roadshow outlining the council's plans will be at the park until Sunday.

Wednesday June 02, 2004