Frustration grows as Maldon hospital plans continue to stall

THE leader of Maldon District Council is "increasingly frustrated" at the lack of progress on a new hospital now 12 years in the waiting.Plans were first launched in 2003, with a renovation of the current St Peter's site, or a new build in Maldon both possibilities.However, progress has stalled, with council boss Councillor Miriam Lewis, and chief executive Fiona Marshall, pointing the finger at the changing face of the NHS and a subsequent lack of stability.Cllr Lewis said: "I'm...

AA Dog Rescue given reprieve after Maldon councillors vote to...

A CHAOTIC planning meeting with close to 200 attendees resulted in a controversial dog rescue centre being given a stay of execution.AA Dog Rescue, based off Burnham Road in Latchingdon, would have faced closure if Maldon District councillors had voted against its planning application, but deferral has handed founder Charley Nathan a lifeline.Speaking outside Burnham's Ormiston Rivers Academy after Monday night's decision, Ms Nathan said: "I had an idea that was going to happen, but I'm ...

Second arrest made as Essex Police investigate Maldon facial...

Police investigating the stabbing of a 25-year-old man in Maldon have arrested a second man.The victim received facial injuries shortly before 2am on Sunday, October 18, when he was assaulted in Butt Lane.A 26-year-old man from Maldon was arrested on Monday on suspicion of GBH and bailed pending further enquiries until December 4.And yesterday, October 22, a 29-year-old man from Maldon was arrested on suspicion of GBH and drugs offences and released on bailed until the same December date.Any...

Chinese sign deal for new nuclear power station at Bradwell-on-Se...

Chinese corporations will have a majority share in a new power station set to be built in Bradwell-on-Sea, after signing a deal yesterday (Wednesday).French firm EDF Energy reached an agreement with the China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) to help fund a new plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset, with a wider partnership in place for both Bradwell and Sizewell in Suffolk. The signings took place in the presence of the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, and the British Prime Minister, David...

Witness heard "screaming and shouting" as 25-year-old...

A witness claimed she heard "running and shouting" around the time a 25-year-old man was stabbed in the face just off Maldon's High Street.Police and paramedics were called to Butt Lane, near the Rose and Crown Wetherspoon's pub, shortly before 2am on Sunday.A 25-year-old was this week arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm in connection with the incident.Butt Road resident Poppy Ann Miller says she saw men running down Butt Lane away from the High Street, and was so...

Maldon District Council reclaims almost £85,000 in costs...

Maldon District Council will not be involved almost £85,000 in costs incurred by the inspection of their under-fire Local Development Plan.The Planning Inspectorate agreed to write off £84,685.97 after accepting that "the procedural handling of the examination fell somewhat short of the service that they would normally seek to deliver".The examination-in-public stage of the LDP was suspended when inspector David Vickery ruled that not enough provision had been made for...

Conservative councillors in Essex reject proposed pay increases

Proposed pay increases suggested by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Essex County Council have been rejected by Conservatives at County Hall.The report will be debated at the full council meeting tomorrow (Tuesday, October 13) where Conservative councillors will amend the report to ensure there is no additional burden on the Essex taxpayer. The leader, deputy leader and cabinet members will not take any pay increase and having taken a pay cut of 3% at the start of this council in 2013...