THE public inquiry into the hugely-controversial Barton Farm development near Winchester has been postponed.

New planning policy from the coalition Government led to developer Cala Homes to ask for a postponement.

A city council spokeswoman said the planning inspectorate had agreed and the inquiry would not now go ahead on September 7.

A report on the new Government guidance, that removes housing targets, will be considered on July 22.

City council officers are currently working on assessing how many new homes the district needs in the coming years.