News in Maldon

THE number of new homes per year Maldon District Council needs to include in its development plan would more than double under new government proposals.

If proposed changes to planning rules are made, the calculated minimum housing need for the district would rise from 308 to 623 dwellings each year.

THE first 'happy to talk' bench has been opened in Heybridge, Maldon.

Plantation Hall is the site of the site for the bench, which proudly boasts a sign declaring "Please sit here if you don't mind someone talking to you".

LAST night the government announced new Covid-19 restrictions.

ONE of Maldon's beloved Dunkirk veteran boats, Pudge, will be putting on a special show at the weekend.

The Thames Sailing Barge Trust is holding a "come and meet us" event on Sunday (13 September) at Chandler's Quay, Fullbridge. The event is part of the town's September Heritage Trail Weekend.

It has been an absolutely fantastic start back to Plume Academy for our 1800 students and 300+ staff.

As expected, uniforms are being worn with pride and as we take them through our clear standards, expectations and routines so as to ensure we all remain as safe as possible, the support and positive approach from our students has been phenomenal – I am so pleased as well as so genuinely proud, however, not I'm surprised one little bit though!

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THE leader of the Independent group at Maldon District Council has made a call for "calm" at the troubled authority – and for all councillors to "pull together and focus on the needs" of residents.

The plea from Councillor Mark Heard comes on the morning after it became apparent that the Conservative group at the council had lost overall control. The political balance shifted after Councillor Maddie Thompson left the Tory group to become a 'non-aligned' Conservative member. There are now five councillors who fall into that category at the local authority.

A HERO neighbour rescued a woman from a first-floor window during a house fire in Heybridge, Maldon, yesterday evening (Monday, 7 September).

Firefighters were called to the blaze in Maple Avenue just after 6.10pm to find the ground floor ablaze and the entire house filled with smoke.

THE Conservative Party has lost control of Maldon District Council, according to an update on the council's website.

The political balance page on the website was changed this afternoon (Monday, 7 September) to reflect the power shift. It is understood that Councillor Maddie Thompson has left the Tory group at the council and has been added to the ranks of 'non-aligned' Conservative councillors, making the current tally five.

THE county's public health chief has issued a plea to the public guidelines to help prevent a new peak of coronavirus cases in every area of the county, including Maldon.

The new comes after the latest figures released yesterday (Sunday, 7 September) show that while confirmed Covid-19 cases within the Maldon district remain low, other areas of the county are showing a worrying spike in infections – including those where cases had remained low until the past two weeks.