A decision to build a road over the Rotherwas Ribbon has hit a stumbling block after councillors raised objections.

The plan to construct the road over the archaeological find, which is thought to date back to the Bronze Age, is now open to further debate despite Herefordshire Council's cabinet approving the measure.

Three councillors have 'called-in' the decision and now the issue will have to go before the council's environment scrutiny committee for further debate.

Councillors Marcelle Lloyd Hayes, Mark Hubbard and Aubrey Oliver, made the move after concerns that the decision did not fully consider the consequences of any possible decision by English Heritage to 'schedule' the monument - a move that would give it legal protection.

They also claim that the cabinet's decision does not provide enough time for the full extent of the find to be discovered or for the possibility of getting money from outside bodies to be fully explored.

Cabinet had earlier unanimously backed measures to carry on with the road and preserve the monument under sand and protective layers of membrane.

Bob Clay, of the Save The Rotherwas Ribbon Campaign, said: "This is an important step in the restoration of democracy and common sense."

Coun John Jarvis, cabinet member for the environment, welcomed the news that the issue would be discussed by the scrutiny committee.

"We believe the council should take every opportunity to ensure it is doing the right thing to protect the Rotherwas Ribbon, explore opportunities for tourism and complete the Rotherwas access road to safeguard existing and future jobs in Hereford," he said.

"The views of the scrutiny committee are a key part of the council's democratic process. Its role will be to test the accountability and transparency of any decisions taken by the council so it is right that it scrutinises the decision and any backgroundmaterial."

He added that the council was working hard to balance a number of conflicting views. "Making everyone happy is mission impossible, of course, but we have listened to all views and expert advice in coming to a decision that we feel reflects the needs of community as a whole," he said.

Last Thursday, cabinet considered a 50- page report on how the Ribbon could be best preserved. The issue is now expected to be discussed by the scrutiny committee on September 24.