Byers has the power to call for a public inquiry, which would delay the start of work for 2 years (or prevent it altogether). He had a statutory 21 days in which to decide, but has issued a "holding order" to extend that.

Chelsea's West Stand development was delayed by a year by such an inquiry. But there's no need to panic just yet because holding orders are not that unusual in situations like this. Byers does have quite a lot on his plate these days, seeing as his department deals with Transport. And he's been on holiday recently.

Arsenal will be disappointed, because they're poised to get going and had hoped that the last hurdle would be cleared soon. With the holding order, Byers can take as long as he likes.

See Evening Standard for more.

Also interesting to see that opponents to Fulham's Craven Cottage development have failed in their court bid to force a public enquiry. In their case the government did not call for an inquiry (despite, from what I've heard, the proposals being more disruptive than Arsenal's). Opponents to the plans took the case to court to try to overturn that decision, using the European Convention on Human Rights. Maybe this news will help give Byers the confidence to ok things. (See Evening Standard for more on the Fulham news).

Meanwhile Ken Livingstone couldn't resist the chance to have a poke at the government and has come out saying that the delay is undeomcratic (or something like that). But Arsenal themselves are more cool about it, Ken Friar has been quoted as saying that this was what they'd expected and nothing has changed.