THE number of houses built in Dudley could beat all previous expectations, according to a report which will be discussed by councillors next week.

The borough has the capacity to build almost an extra 1,800 homes over and above its goal of 16,000 by 2026.

Members of the borough’s Development Control Committee are expected to welcome the officers’ predictions at their meeting on May 29.

The good news comes following a survey of  sites available for homes over the next ten years.

The Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) identifies and assesses land for development.

Officers said: “The borough has the potential to provide a surplus of 1,788 homes up to the end of the current plan period above the 16,127 net housing target for Dudley set out in the Black Country Core Strategy.

“The study includes sites with planning permission, sites that have been identified through the assessment and broad areas that have potential to be deliver housing beyond the plan period.”

Officers predict 1,300 homes could be built over the next 12 months, peaking at 1,400 during 2021-22 and then averaging around 1,200 for the next four years.