A COUNCIL has sought to reassure the new inspector of the long-awaited Local Development Plan that it is doing its best to progress the plan.

Earlier this month inspector Simon Berekley criticised Maldon District council for being too “slow” to move the plan forward.

The council had set out a timetable for when it would provide information on nine items raised.

Mr Berkeley had hoped to begin hearings for the plan before August but said the council’s timetable “puts that in doubt”.

The council said it expected to respond to all the matters by July 10.

But Mr Berkeley said the proposed timetable did “not set the pace I had envisaged”.

The council has now responded to Mr Berkeley saying it “wishes” to make progress as soon as possible.

Responding to Mr Berkeley, Nick Fenwick, Director of Planning & Regulatory Services, said: “I am writing to reassure you that the District Council also wishes to make progress with the examination at the earliest opportunity.

“The deadlines that I gave in my letter of May 5 are cautious, due to past experiences, and assume that the Council will be producing detailed statements addressing in depth the matters you raise in your letter of April 7.

“We intend to submit these statements ahead of the deadlines where we are able to complete them sooner.

“Alternatively, the Council could produce briefer summaries of its position to earlier deadlines, if you consider that this would aid the examination process.

“I hope that this letter reassures you as to the Council’s willingness to advance the examination as quickly as possible.”

In April councillors on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at Maldon District Council agreed to add scrutiny of the plan to their programme for 2016/17 amid concerns about the circumstances of the call-in of the plan.

Concerns have been raised the district could be left open to unwanted housing developments if a Local Plan is not in place soon.