AceShowbiz - Officials in Ringo Starr's hometown of Liverpool, England is planning to bulldoze dozens of dilapidated properties including 9 Madryn Street, where Starr grew up.

They were set to green-light the controversial move at a meeting on Tuesday - but the government's Housing Minister Grant Shapps stepped in to slap a restriction on the scheme.

He ordered that officials must consider whether an Environmental Impact Assessment is needed before any demolition can take place, a move which could delay the plans by more than a year.

Chairman of the Save Madryn Street campaign, Philip Coppell, celebrated the news, saying, "Number 9 Madryn Street is irreplaceable. It's a precious piece of The Beatles history and of vital importance to the city and its growing tourism industry. Thank God the Government has stopped the mindless town hall wreckers from turning Ringo's birthplace into a shameful vacant lot. The Beatles fans all over the world are heaving a huge sigh of relief."