Swindon will be able to cope with 16,000 new homes before 2026 the council cabinet members reckon.

Councillors have voted that 16,000 homes was the figure to be sent to the South West Regional Assembly the organisation which will decide how many houses Swindon must build in the future.

A steering group, called the Swindon Joint Study Steering Group looked at whether the town could cope with 16,000, 20,000, 24,000.

Following a public consultation it was decided that 16,000 would be the most sustainable.

Leader of Council, Coun Mike Bawden (Con Old Town and Lawn) said that there had been concerns that it was the council plucking out figures for new homes.

Coun Justin Tomlinson (Con Abbey Meads) told the group that the choice of 16,000 new homes was a lesser of three evils.

Kevin Small (Lab, Western) supported the decision but erred on the side of caution because of Swindon's geographical position as not only a gateway to the South West but also to the South East.

This he claimed may have an affect on house building in the area.