THE first new-style Local Plan to be adopted in the North-East will see 700 new homes built in Middlesbrough over the next year, the highest number in 30 years.

Proposals for future property development in the town have been given the go ahead by a planning inspector in a bid to reverse long-term population decline and boost council tax revenue.

The blueprint is designed for almost 7,000 homes to be built in the town by 2029 at a number of new and existing sites including Brookfield, Ladgate Lane, Hemlington Grange, Gresham, Stainton, Coulby Newham and Nunthorpe.

Of the homes built in 2014/15, 450 will have three and four-bedroom and most will be council tax band D and above.

Elected mayor of Middlesbrough, Ray Mallon, said at the budget cuts announcement in October that the main reason the council tax base had to be raised was to receive greater council tax revenues and a greater formula grant from central Government.

This additional funding will help pay for the spiralling costs of looking after children in care and the elderly – they alone are likely to devour 73 per cent of the town’s budget by 2020.

Between 2012 and 2029, Mr Mallon envisaged that at least 7,495 houses will have been built. When complete, it is estimated the new properties could potentially generate £10m a year in council tax, and around £65 million in New Homes Bonus.

Investment worth £70.6m is being ploughed into Hemlington Grange, a mix of two, three, four and five-bed units as well as five hectares of employment land aimed at light industrial and office use which could create 760 jobs.

“This plan represents the most ambitious building programme Middlesbrough has seen for over four decades, so I am delighted it has been backed by the planning inspector,” said Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development.

“That’s a ringing endorsement of our desire to create successful neighbourhoods and communities that will stand the test of time and play a key role in ensuring the town’s future prosperity.

“The plan lays out a framework that will combine high quality housing with green recreational areas, cycleways, footpaths and local facilities. There will also be provision for affordable and special needs housing.

“It will help to stem the long-term decline in the town’s population and to control and shape the developments the town undoubtedly needs.

He added: “In short it will help to make Middlesbrough a place where future generations want to live, work and bring up their families.”