PROPOSED housing developments across South Gloucestershire have been thrown into doubt this week after the legal status of the local authority's main planning document was called into question.

The Core Strategy, which outlines where thousands of new homes will be built in the district during the next 20 years, was due to go before public inspection for approval this summer.

However, this process could now face severe delays, and potentially cost the council more money and man-hours, because of concerns raised by independent inspector Paul Crysell, who has called a special exploratory meeting with South Gloucestershire Council later this month.

Mr Crysell, a senior government inspector, has said he has concerns about the council’s consultation process, the plan’s legal status, site allocation, sustainability, evidence for the strategy, the council’s approach to the green belt and the impending closure of Filton Airfield.

The Core Strategy has taken the authority more than four years to write and supports the building of 21,500 new homes, including 3,000 north of Yate, and 500 in Thornbury.

The document also promotes travel schemes such as the Greater Bristol Bus Network and work to the Avon Ring Road, and includes new schools, community facilities and makes suggestions on how to encourage economic growth.

The exploratory meeting, to be held on June 29, is not part of the normal public examination proceedings, and according to government guidelines such meetings are only held when the inspector has "significant concerns".

A spokesman for South Gloucestershire Council declined to comment on the issues raised by the inspector.

He said: "The inspector has asked for a meeting to be held before the opening of the public examination into the Core Strategy. This is part of the process of preparing for the examination and the council welcomes this request to hold such a meeting."

After the meeting Mr Crysell will have to decide whether or not to proceed with a public examination, a date for which is yet to be set, or ask the council to do more work, or ask the authority to withdraw the plan completely.

For more information about the Core Strategy visit www.southglos.gov.uk The exploratory meeting with the inspector is being held at Nibley Court, Yate, on Wednesday, June 29 (2pm).