1 July 2012 Last updated at 06:46 ET

Housing in Stockton: Views on future homes sought by council

A Teesside council wants help in drawing up a masterplan to meet the housing needs of its 82,500 residents.

Stockton Council has already demolished hundreds of homes in the borough to make way for new properties.

It now wants to hear from local people to help draw up a plan to improve housing over the next three years before the consultation ends on 6 July.

The council believes the number of households in the borough will increase by a further 10,000 by 2026.

In 2009, it restored 166 empty homes and brought them back into use.

Councillor Steve Nelson, the council's cabinet member for housing, said: "We want to make sure the housing in the borough meets the needs and aspirations of current and future residents.

"In addition, delivering good quality neighbourhoods and housing can provide significant health, environmental and economic benefits.

"So it is important for people to give their views on our latest draft strategy."