MORE than 10,000 new homes will be needed to deal with a population that "continues to grow", a council has warned.

Stockton Borough Council has produced the next stage of its Local Plan, which identifies the need for thousands of new homes across the borough by 2032.

The plan has selected five new sites across the borough for homes to be built - Queens Park North, Alma House, Thompson's Scrap yard, Magister Road and Eaglescliffe Golf Club.

Councillor Bob Cook, leader of Stockton Borough Council, said: We are working hard to get a Local Plan in place as soon as we can because having one will put us in the strongest position possible to manage future development in the Borough.

“It’s encouraging to see the former Thompson’s Scrap Yard among the additional sites identified because it’s exactly the kind of brownfield site that we’d like to see developed and it is also within walking distance of Stockton Town Centre.

“The site’s owners are keen to develop around 500 homes on the site, and we hope that the Government is prepared to allocate the necessary funds to bring former industrial sites like this one back into use."

Earlier this month, the committee of Eaglescliffe Golf Club agreed to negotiate the sale of 22 acres of its land to become a housing estate,

Up to 230 homes could be built on the site according to campaigners opposing discussions between club bosses and developers.

Matthew Vickers, Stockton’s Conservative leader, said: “It is important that the council puts a Local Plan in place as a matter of urgency to protect the borough against inappropriate developments from aggressive and irresponsible developers.

“That said the plan needs to be in the interests of the borough and its residents.

“There are huge concerns around the scale of some of the proposed developments and particularly the ability of highways and infrastructure to cope with the increased traffic,"

The document will be considered by full council on September 20.