Campaigners fighting to stop a waste recycling plant being built close to their Northamptonshire homes have managed to stall the plans.

Following their protests, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who is the Secretary of State, has stepped in to put the plans on hold.

It will give the government time to decide whether to hold an inquiry or hand the decision back to the county council.

The Northampton South Neighbourhood Alliance is fighting plans for the centre on land between the villages of Collingtree, Wootton and Grange Park, the new 1,000-home development on the southern edge of Northampton.

The group was formed last month after county councillors approved plans for the plant.

Public inquiry

The group protested to the Secretary of State and asked for a full public inquiry.

On Thursday the protestors heard that Northamptonshire County Council has been ordered to put the plans on hold.

In a letter to residents the Government Office for the East Midlands said it had issued a "holding direction".

The order prevents the county council from issuing planning permission without specific authorisation.

"There is no time limit on the directions - on how long it remains in place," said government spokesman Michael Smith.

"Consideration of cases differs, but obviously we would not want to hold up plans for any longer than necessary and make the Secretary of State's decision known as soon as possible."

More than 300 people wrote letters objecting to the proposals for the plant which would be within 300 metres of houses.

South Northamptonshire District councillors formally objected to the application from Viridor Waste Management Limited.