A PUBLIC inquiry to hear appeals by Able UK over plans to dismantle so-called ghost ships in the region will get underway in just over three weeks.

The inquiry will be held in the conference centre at Hartlepool College of Further Education, starting on Tuesday, October 9 at 10am.

Earlier this year, Hartlepool Council's planning committee decided not to challenge the appeals by the company, which wants to carry out the work at its Graythorpe site, in Hartlepool.

The council cited new Government planning policy as one of the main reasons for withdrawing its objections.

The main application covers a range of proposals to develop the site, including construction, repair, refurbishment and decommissioning of all types of ships, vessels and other craft, and the manufacture of wind turbines.

Two of the other applications refer to alternative options for the installation of a cofferdam, and the fourth relates to consent to store various hazardous substances.