CONTROVERSIAL plans to berth a nuclear submarine in Southampton docks have been put on hold again - this time until September.

Members of the pressure group Southampton Coalition Against Nuclear Ships (SCANS) are being given until the end of the summer to prepare their legal case against the controversial scheme - dubbed SotonSafe - before members of the city's ruling Liberal Democrat Cabinet make a final decision on whether to adopt the plan. And yesterday councillors were greeted with a protest by ani-nuclear campaigner Michael Waugh outside the Civic Centre.

The Cabinet was due to approve the plans at yesterday's meeting - or face legal action in London's High Court which could have cost the authority at least £100,000.

But last minute discussions between the council, the Health and Safety Executive, legal experts and the Ministry of Defence have staved-off the threat of legal action by the government.

The latest hold-up stems from a legal challenge to the controversial scheme which is being mounted by SCANS who will argue that approving the plans is likely to contravene complex European legislation surrounding radioactive materials.

The group will be given just over two months to prepare their case before their arguments are finally brought before the council.

SCANS treasurer John Vetterlein said: "There is a clash between European law and the government's interpretation of European law on the issue."

The long running SotonSafe saga began when the Royal Navy announced proposals to use Dock 38 at Southampton to house a nuclear submarine.

City chiefs were supposed to agree to the safety scheme by July 21 this year - or face legal action from the Health and Safety Executive.

The original scheme was put on hold last year when councillors had so little confidence in the Royal Navy's plans that they told the service to stay away until new safety procedures were drawn up.

The latest safety scheme has been drawn up with the help of Associated British Ports and emergency services.

It is supposed to swing into action in the event of a nuclear incident and includes distributing potassium iodate tablets to vulnerable people in the event of a nuclear leak.

Deputy leader of Southampton City Council Councillor Peter Wakeford said: "At some point or another, we have to make a decision. I am disappointed we are not making a decision but I do understand the need to defer at this moment in time."

Cabinet member for housing and homes Councillor Paul Russell added: "I welcome this deferral. It gives us an opportunity to get this right."