York's Local Plan could face a major hurdle with a shock vote this evening forcing new examinations of the housing plans.

At the end of a dramatic meeting of the full council - which saw two long serving Labour councillors publicly resign the whip and the Community Stadium plans approved - a motion calling for the consultation process to stop and a new report be produced was passed.

The vote was so close that Lord Mayor Ian Gillies cast the deciding vote.

The motion was proposed by Liberal Democrat Cllr Ann Reid, and called for a new report on the number of houses that will be needed, and delivered, in York over the coming years. The Local Plan has been the subject of fierce scrutiny and objections from councillors and residents who disagree with the proposals to build up to 1200 new homes a year in York.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Reid said she was pleased with the outcome, which could leave the current plan "in tatters".

Council leader James Alexander admitted that the vote could change the plan significantly, and said he and cabinet colleagues needed to speak to officers about the next steps.

He added: "I am assuming the Government won't be too pleased."

He said he was concerned that more delays to the Local Plan would see the temporary protection currently in place on York's green belt challenged.

The same meeting saw the Allerton Park waste incinerator plan get the final go ahead, while a motion from Cllr Anna Semlyen calling for a public statement that York is against fracking was passed.