PUBLIC hearings to examine Wyre Forest District Council's planning blueprint of future development sites will be held in the new year.

Planning inspectorate Mary Travers will undertake the examination of the district council's Local Plan and a series of public hearings set to take place over a four-week period will start on Monday, January 11.

The Local Plan identifies where developments sites for homes and businesses will be, and the services and infrastructure needed to support them.

The plan pledges to deliver more than 6,000 new houses between 2016 and 2036 plus 29 hectares of employment land, with planned sites including Pearl Lane at Areley Kings, Coniston Crescent and Steatite Way in Stourport, and Carpets of Worth in Kidderminster.

Councillor Fran Oborski, deputy council leader and cabinet member for economic regeneration, planning and capital investments, said: ā€œIā€™m pleased that the Inspector has been able to announce the dates of the hearings and confirm the matters to be addressed as this is another milestone in the council progressing towards the adoption of the Local Plan.ā€

A public consultation received more than 1,000 responses from more than 500 respondents and the final draft of the plan was submitted to the Secretary of State at the end of April.

After reopening for public consultation, land at Yew Tree Walk was removed as an allocated site for housing, while Green Belt land at Blakedown was added for additional railway station car parking and new homes.

Matters and questions the planning inspectorate intends to explore during the hearings are listed on the council's website.

Anyone who has registered to appear at the hearings will be contacted directly by the Local Plan programme officer.

It is expected that the hearings will be conducted online to ensure the safety of those taking part during the coronavirus pandemic.