There are "difficult decisions" ahead for top councillors and council officers as they choose where some 35,000 new houses will be built in South Warwickshire.

Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon District Councils will this month discuss the next stages of the new South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP) which will govern the next 25 years of development in the region.

But with many of the 36 potential new housing sites identified across the districts falling in green belt land, one councillor last week asked for assurances these sites would only be used as a last resort.

"Can you confirm that greenfield - especially green belt - sites will be put forward only when all other sites are exhausted?" Cllr David Armstrong asked at last weeks Warwick District Council meeting.

In response, deputy leader Cllr Chris King, said the SWLP is being prepared "with the principles of sustainable development".

He explained: "Some of South Warwickshire's most sustainable locations fall within the green belt. 

"For example all our railway stations are either in or close to green belt, therefore to deliver a truly sustainable pattern of growth the SWLP needs to consider all options including green belt options - rather than just dismissing them."

He added: "We are all aware the green belt is highly important. 

"I will take this opportunity to reassure and emphasise how seriously this administration and all officers working on the new plan understand this. 

"The placement of new developments and new settlements is a highly sensitive one."

Councillors from the two councils will meet on Thursday 12 December to consider the next steps of the SWLP, which is likely to see local residents and businesses given their say on these sites and other parts of the plan.

The next stage of the plan will also see a further call for sites for more gypsy and traveller sites, as well as areas for renewable energy generation.

Already delayed, SWLP will govern local house building until 2050. It was due to be brought in for 2025, but has been pushed back to 2027.

A council report said nearly 2,200 homes will be built through it every year, mostly on green belt land as there is "insufficient urban brownfield land to accommodate South Warwickshire's housing and employment land needs".