Planning bosses look set to withdraw proposals made to the government on how they intend to hit housing targets, after an inspection of their first submission was suspended.

'Significant shortcomings' were found in Chiltern District Council's Delivery Development Plan Document by a government inspector, in what was described as "a shambles" by a councillor this week.

The document outlines how the authority intends to meet housing targets over the next two decades, with a review of green belt land included among the proposals.

Earlier this month the public examination of the submission was suspended by government inspector Patrick Whitehead, who said some of the proposals lacked "convincing evidence" and needed "a substantial amount of additional work to address these concerns".

Members of the council's cabinet agreed on Tuesday to recommend withdrawing the original documentation, although this will need to be ratified by the full council at a later date.

Council leader Isobel Darby said: "All isn't lost - it's not a case of going right back to the drawing board. There's a lot of work that can be built on.

"It's a regrettable situation but I don't think we should necessarily take - blame is not the right word, but it's not down to something we've done.

"Increasingly planning is a moving feast. Central government is changing its mind, giving us directions.

"Nationally there's this drive to build on every square inch of land there is. The pressures on our housing land is that much greater."

But opposition leader Peter Jones said: "It's hard to argue other than this is a shambles. This reflects badly on a council that over the years has done planning very well. I find it a shame we are in this position."

Mr Whitehead said in his report: "Following a careful consideration of the evidence before me and the discussion and answers provided by the council at the first day of the hearing stage of my examination of the Delivery Development Plan Document, it is my conclusion that there are significant shortcomings relating to soundness in the document as submitted.

"It is also unlikely that the DDPD would meet the criteria for soundness if the proposed modifications were to be incorporated.

"My reason for the decision to suspend the Examination relates, in the main, to the housing land allocations."

Regarding the allocation of accommodation sites for gypsys, travellers and travelling showpeople, Mr Whitehead added: "The proposed modifications already proposes significant changes to the policy so far as delivery of the identified sites is concerned, but it continues to prioritise sites outside of Chiltern District over proposal sites identified on the policies map.

"This cannot be considered to be a positively prepared or effective policy, firstly because the council has no means of requiring neighbouring authorities to comply with its policy, and secondly there is no evidence before this examination to suggest that neighbouring authorities are willing partners to the policy requirements."

The council will submit fresh plans to the inspectorate at a later date.