BATTLING Laverstock residents - opposed to a bid to build 120 new homes in their village - blew a hole this week in the much-vaunted replacement Salisbury district local plan.

The plan, which has been seven years in the preparation and seeks to lay down guidelines for future housing, employment, transport and recreation developments throughout south Wiltshire, went before a full meeting of Salisbury district council for final endorsement on Monday night.

But after passionate objections by Laverstock people, backed by opposition councillors, Tory leader of the council Kevin Wren - who had earlier said it was crucial to get the plan approved - agreed to have it referred to cabinet for further consideration of the Laverstock issue.

This means the plan will not go back to council for endorsement until after the May elections and could effectively spell a rethink on other controversial issues raised at this week's meeting. These include:

a plea by the Wilton Estate to reinstate, following its withdrawal on the recommendation of a government inspector, plans for a mixed development of new housing, employment, shops and community facilities at Fugglestone Red;

a call by Boscombe Down residents for the deletion of proposals for a new Amesbury link road;

demands by Tisbury people for the deletion of plans for a large new housing estate on what objectors described as a "greenfield site of outstanding natural beauty".

Councillors and officers were astonished by the turnout at Monday's night's meeting, as more than 200 objectors - most of them from Laverstock - packed out public seating at the City Hall.