A TORY bid to stop a controversial traveller and gypsy site being built by shelving planning consent and rejecting £1m of Government cash is set to be derailed today.

Southampton City Council's minority Conservative administration was forced to defer the move on Monday because it was expected to be overruled by today's full council meeting.

The full council has already approved the 12-caravan site and planning permission was narrowly granted last month.

Councillor Royston Smith, Cabinet member for economic regeneration and development, wanted to refuse a £997,000 grant and let the planning permission gather dust.

It would have saved the council £740,000 on road works to Stoneham Way.

But his Labour opposite councillor Jacqui Rayment is calling on the 48-member city council to affirm the Monks Brook site in Swaythling and accept the Government cash.