COUNCILLORS have deferred their decision about a 3,500-home development that threatened the future of more than 50 businesses at the 11th hour.

Residents had seen members of Winchester City Council's planning committee unanimously reject plans for north of Whiteley against the advice of their own council officer's report.

More than half of the 100 people assembled had left thinking they had triumphed.

But as councillors tried to come up with legal reasons for refusing the plans they called a break. When they returned a motion was put forward to defer the plans.

As previously reported, the proposal would involve demolition of the Bury Farm industrial estate in Curbridge which businesses said would put businesses there and 300 jobs in jeopardy.

Although councillors praised the scheme they expressed concern about the level of affordable housing, the effect on Bury Farm and road infrastructure timings not coming before homes and said they could not support it.

One businessman from Bury Farm called it a farce and several said they feared that the plans would now be approved.