Christchurch City Council has endorsed in principle a revised plan for Victoria Square but will not give it the final tick until a more detailed design is presented.
An original proposal for a $7 million facelift, including the relocation of historic statues and a fountain, and the removal of some trees, angered those who wanted to retain the square in its original state.
The government's Christchurch Central Development Unit sought public feedback on its proposal and came up with a different design that kept the square's original features.
It promised it would seek final council signoff before it did any work.
Today the council heard from community members worried about a lack of detail in the revised plan, and in response the council pushed pause on giving it the final signoff.
Once the unit formulates a more detailed plan, a working group including four councillors will seek public feedback on it, and only then will the redevelopment be given the go-ahead.