Campaigners have called a public meeting to discuss the next step in their battle against a park and ride scheme on the edge of Bath.

Senior officials at the Government Office for the South West are currently deciding whether to recommend a public inquiry is called into council plans for the 1,400-space facility at Bathampton Meadows.

Opponents of the scheme - which they say will destroy the green belt landscape to the east of Bath - are urging residents in Bathampton, Batheaston and Bathford to lobby GoSW in the hope that new Communities Secretary John Denham will agree to such an inquiry.

The Bath and North East Somerset Council project - part of the £50 million Bath Transportation Package - was approved in principle by the authority's development control committee last month, but needs to be referred to GoSW because it is not mentioned in the district's local plan.

GoSW can decide to call an inquiry - or let the B&NES decision stand.

 The Save Bathampton Meadows group has called the meeting for next Wednesday at Batheaston Methodist Church Hall between 7.30pm and 9.30pm.

Spokeswoman Catharine Freeman said: "The aim of the public meeting is to gather together those organisations and individuals who are opposed to this ridiculous scheme.

"We want to inform people of the devastating nature and implications of the scheme and urge them to call for a full public inquiry by writing to the Secretary of State.

"The message of the meeting is that we can still save the meadows from destruction."

GoSW planning manager David Jones has told the group that a public inquiry would be called only if there were issues of national importance at stake.

The group is now urging people to write letters to him at GoSW in Bristol, calling for an inquiry to be held.

The public meeting will be addressed by speakers from Bath Preservation Trust, The Bath Society, and representatives of all local parish councils.

The call for an inquiry has been echoed by Wansdyke MP Dan Norris.

The site is in the current Bath constituency of Don Foster - who has no problem with the scheme, subject to certain conditions.

But many of those objecting to the project will be moved by boundary changes into the new North East Somerset seat which Mr Norris will defend at the next general election.

Mr Norris has written to GoSW asking for the matter to be called in for a public inquiry.

The letter says: "There appears to be overwhelming local opposition to this particular park and ride site. People have told me they are extremely concerned about the plan, and have outlined a number of reasons why they are so worried."

GoSW may also decide a public inquiry is needed on the equally controversial Bus Rapid Transit scheme, which councillors deferred a decision on at their last meeting in May.

If they approve the BRT at a meeting in July, that decision will be subject to an order which will prevent the approval being implemented until GoSW has decided whether to call an inquiry.

Mr Foster has now written to Mr Denham, urging him to call in the BRT application.

He said: “I do not believe that consultation with local residents has been adequate, and research into alternative routes has not been considered."