It’s the most controversial planning issue in Southampton.

And today the proposals for a £300 million biomass plant in Southampton docks took a new twist.

Plans for the giant have been delayed.

The company behind the controversial scheme were due to put in a planning application before the end of the year.

But today it has been revealed that is unlikely to happen and proposals will not be submitted until 2013.

A spokesman for Helius, the company behind the proposed plant earmarked for Southampton docks, was unavailable for comment this morning.

The development comes just a month after the firm confirmed the design of the £300 million plant.

Three options were put to the public during the summer, and the company says that 52 per cent of respondents chose the “marine” look.

But campaigners have dismissed the statistic – saying that many people put “none of the above” on the design consultation and these results have not been included.

And in another development Southampton council Richard Williams called on Helius to reconsider the site of the plant in docks.

He claimed there were other sites in the city more suitable for the plant which Helium say will create 450 jobs to build and have 40 permanent staff.

Proposals for the 100-megawatt wood-fired plant near homes in Freemantle and Millbrook have sparked a campaign from local residents against the scheme.

In the summer a public consultation was held before in October Herlius revealed the “marine” design as its chose look.

Three options were put to the public during consultation, and the company says that 52 per cent of respondents chose the “marine” look.

But campaigners have dismissed the statistic – saying that many people put “none of the above” on the design consultation and these results have not been included.

Protesters against the plant have also said they are not only against the location, but also the principle of the plans.

A referendum on the plans was scrapped by civic chiefs after costs spiralled from an initial £5,000 to £75,000.

A planning application had been due to be submitted to the National Infrastructure Directorate of the Planning Inspectorate before the end of the year.

Once the application is accepted, the public will be able to register as “interested parties” to make comments on the scheme, before a final decision is made by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change – currently Liberal Democrat Ed Davey.

For all the background to the biomass controversy click here