THE date for when hearings into Maldon’s delayed Local Development Plan will begin has been set.

Simon Berkeley, appointed inspector of the plan in April, had hoped to hold hearings into the much-delayed document, which sets out where houses, businesses and infrastructure should be built in Maldon over 15 years, next month.

He has now announced that hearings will commence on Tuesday, January 10, at the Three Rivers Golf and Country Club in Cold Norton.

On the first day provision for travellers and affordable housing will be discussed.

The hearings are due to last eight days with a final ninth day listed in case more time is needed.

Mr Berkeley will then write a report for the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid.

Documents on the matters and questions Mr Berkeley will ask, the dates and times of the hearings and guidance on the procedure have been published on www.maldon.gov.uk.

In a letter Mr Berkeley said: “After the final hearing session I will write a report setting out my conclusions about the soundness of the plan, including recommendations on any actions or modifications I consider necessary to make it sound.

“It will then be for the Secretary of State to decide whether to accept my conclusions and whether to approve or reject the plan.”

In May 2015 previous inspector David Vickery stopped examination of the delayed plan due to the lack of traveller sites provided.

That decision was overturned by the Government in March after Maldon District Council had the decision called in.

If the plan is rejected again the council will have to go back to the drawing board.