EVERY household in Hexham is to be asked for its opinion on how many new homes should be built in the town – and where they should go.

The housing needs survey is being commissioned by Hexham Town Council – at a cost of up to £6,000 – in order to provide hard evidence to support its ambitious neighbourhood plan.

The proposal put forward at Monday’s meeting of Hexham Town Council by Coun. David Clegg received unanimous support.

Coun. Clegg said the intention was to survey every single house in the parish of Hexham, to assess exactly what was needed in the way of future housing for the town, not what builders wanted to build.

He explained: “We need concrete figures so that when we publish the plan, we will be able to reply to any challenges from builders.

“We already know that one or two bedroomed bungalows for older people are needed, but no-one is building them.

“Affordable homes for young couples are also needed, but we need the figures to prove that.”

He proposed that £5,000 be handed to Northumberland County Council to bankroll the survey, and was supported by Coun. Tom Gillanders, who felt that £5,000 might not be enough.

He said: “This is something which has to be done, because at the moment we don’t have the hard evidence.

“If we want it, we have to pay for it, and I think we should be prepared to pay up to £6,000.”

The council approved the amendment from Coun. Gillanders.