A TWO-WEEK public inquiry into a blueprint for the future of Hartlepool gets under way in the town next week.

A Government planning inspector will hold the inquiry to look at any remaining objections to the revised version of Hartlepool's Local Plan.

The local plan is a strategy drawn up by councils for controlling and guiding future use of land in the area.

It covers a wide range of issues, including sites for new housing and guidance on commercial and industrial development.

Hartlepool's current local plan was adopted in 1994 and, for the past couple of years, work has been under way to create a new version.

After lengthy public consultation, the plan is now going through the final stages of revision and is expected to be finally adopted sometime next year.

The public inquiry is due to open at 10am on Tuesday, at Hartlepool Business Development Centre, at Hartlepool College of Further Education, in Stockton Street.

It is expected that the inquiry will mainly centre on objections over the provision of sites for housing and other development and over policies regarding pubs, clubs and take-aways.

Following the inquiry, the inspector will recommend to Hartlepool Borough Council whether the proposed new local plan should be amended in the light of any objections.