PROGRESS on a planned Gwent hou-sing development has been halted - by three-inch crustaceans.

Rare white-clawed crayfish were last week discovered in a stream at the southern end of the site in South Sebastopol.

On hearing the news Torfaen council's assistant director of planning, Duncan Smith, took the decision to withdraw the planning application for the 1,200 home scheme, which was due to be determined on September 8.

A council decision on whether to go ahead with the controversial plan to build the houses on the last green land between Pontypool and Cwmbran is now unlikely before October.

The discovery was made last week by consultants employed by the developers. They were carrying out last-minute surveys to see if crayfish or great-crested-newts - both rare and protected species - were present on the site.

No great-crested-newts were found but eight adult crayfish were. Mr Smith said: "This information puts a different light on certain aspects of the scheme.

"It means we need more time to look at the information we have. The scheme is not likely to change substantially."

He said the council would be meeting with the developers this week to discuss ways the development could go ahead without affecting the crayfish or their stream. He was confident the scheme would go ahead. "There are no more issues to sort out," he added.

Julian Branscombe, Gwent Wildlife Trust manager, said: "We have been saying all along this is a brilliant place for wildlife.

"It's frightening that this site has come so close to being developed and something like this has just come to light.

"It's vital they are protected. There are so few places they are hanging on. Torfaen has an international obligation to look after them."