Maldon District Council hopes to postpone the current scrutiny stage of its Local Development Plan.

It wants to carry out further work after planning inspector David Vickery raised concerns it could be unsound.

He was worried the 4,410 homes earmarked for sites across the district would not be enough and there would not be enough money for the roads, flood alleviation schemes and other infrastructure needed.

Mr Vickery called an exploratory meeting with the council, attended by more than 130 residents and council staff.

David Coleman, the council’s strategic planning policy manager, said: “The council provided the inspector with details of additional work considered necessary to address the concerns raised and is seeking a suspension of the examination, prior to hearings taking place later in the year."