Plans for up to 90 new homes in Gloucester could be halted by a Government change in policy.

The Department for Transport has ordered a pause in schemes that include shared spaces for pedestrians and motorists. It has called for an inquiry following safety concerns, especially for the visually impaired, over shared spaces that are level with no kerbsides.

For this reason, Gloucestershire Highways Authority says it cannot support plans for up to 90 new homes on the former Bishop's College school site off of Estcourt Road.

The scheme, which already has outline planning permission, is due to be discussed by Gloucester city planners tomorrow night with councillors discussing details such as appearance, landscaping, layout and scale.

The city council is being recommended by its officers to approve the scheme with conditions. But now Gloucestershire Highways Authority says: "The local highways authority will not be agreeing any shared space/surface schemes at planning stage at the moment until further advice and updated guidance is published."

Gloucestershire Highways Authority recommends that the application be refused on highways grounds.

The former Bishop's College school closed in 2010. The planned housing development is next to Oxstalls Sports Park.