Some pristine development held up as Paradise (4)
I believe the answer is:
eden
'paradise' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'some pristine development held up' is the wordplay.
'some' says the answer is hidden in the clue (some of the parts of the word are used).
'held up' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'nede' is hidden within 'pristine development'.
'nede' back-to-front is 'EDEN'.
'as' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for eden that I've seen before include "project in the south west" , "Unspoiled paradise" , "Biblical garden" , "Need an odd garden?" , "happy state" .)