A PUBLIC inquiry into plans to build more than 460 homes on Old Sarum airfield which was due to reconvene this week has been cancelled.

A statement issued by the Planning Inspector said: "Unfortunately the inspector has been taken ill and will be unable to hold the final inquiry sitting days this week for this appeal.

"She sends her apologies for the delay this will cause."

The inquiry was due to be held at City Hall this week. A new date for the hearing is to be set.

The decision to develop the land, made by the airfield’s operators, was faced with strong public backlash, with more than 450 letters of objection sent in to Wiltshire Council, along with a 1,500-signature petition, and a Facebook protest group, SOS – Save Old Sarum, set up, gathering 1,100 members.

Salisbury City Council also opposed the scheme, as did Laverstock and Ford Parish Council and Winterbourne Parish Council.

The airfield's operators are looking to build more than 460 homes around the airfield, which is a conservation area and includes listed buildings, and to create what they called a ‘flying hub’ complete with a heritage centre, visitor centre, restaurant and new control tower.