Councillors have backed a new plan which predicts 1,679 new homes should be built every year to meet the future demand in South Warwickshire.

Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon District Councils endorsed the study at a joint meeting earlier this month, and also laid out the next steps for the new South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP).

The study - called a Housing and Economic Needs Assessment (HEDNA) - was prepared by independent consultants ICENI, and said it was "no longer considered credible" to continue to use outdated lower housing figures provided by the government.

The figure of 1,679 will now be used as the basis for the next stage of the SWLP which will go to public consultation later this year.

Councillors also noted the government has launched a public consultation on a series of major changes to the planning system which could "substantially impact" the SWLP.

This includes a new 'standard method' which would require some 2,178 homes per year, almost a 30 per cent increase on the endorsed figures.

Members of the committee said they will need to flexible as the higher figure may have to be included in future versions of the plan.