NEARLY 750 new households are expected to form in Darlington every year.

This information has come from a report which is being used to help formulate an important planning document which will determine future policy regarding housing and development in the borough.

The report has recommended that more larger houses and less flats need to be built in the town.

Darlington Borough Council is in the process of compiling its Local Development Framework (LDF).

A number of studies and reports have been made which will influence the core strategy policies of the LDF.

One such report is the Tees Valley Strategic Housing Market Assessment which was compiled earlier this year.

The report looks at the five local authority areas in the Tees Valley and how much housing is needed to meet the anticipated growth in population.

The main findings of the document are that Darlington is likely to experience people migrating to the town, mainly from the Newton Aycliffe area, but also from abroad and from other parts of Britain.

It also anticipates that between 2008 and 2012 an average of 759 new households will form in Darlington every year.

Many of those coming into the town will be of a higher income and seeking larger houses to suit their lifestyle.

The report notes that, in the past, Darlington has relied heavily on flats to meet its housing need, but these may not be suitable for this particular group of people.

The town is also expected to see a significant increase in the number of older people and a much smaller increase in the working age population.

The report states: "If the borough is to continue to attract mid/upper income in-migrants to drive the local economy and to ensure there is suitable housing to match local aspiration, then more larger 3+ bed houses will need to be built, including some limited top-end executive housing to meet sub-regional needs.

"In some locations, there will be a need to restrict further apartment development, and in all areas, more housing suitable for older people will be needed."

Other documents which are being used in the LDF include playing pitch and sport and recreation strategies, a retail study and a report on the towns hotels.

The core strategies will be considered by the councils cabinet at its meeting on December 1.

The Economy and Environment Scrutiny Committee will discuss the various reports being used in the LDF at its meeting on Thursday at 9.30am in the town hall.