Residents in and around Leamington have until July 10 to comment on where they think the homes - part of a government blueprint for nationwide expansion - should go.

But the level of development - drafted by the West Midlands Regional Assembly - is currently under review after a government minister said it was too low.

This is a decision which Warwick and Leamington MP James Plaskitt believes is justified.

He said: "What we are seeking to do is see if there is the capacity to build even more.

"There are thousands of people, especially in Warwick district, who need affordable homes both to rent and buy.

"At the same time I can understand it's very difficult to decide where they should go, but unless we can resolve that, we can't make any progress."

Of the five options for growth under consultation, Mr Plaskitt favours option five, which would focus development around the southern edge of Coventry.

He added: "Some development around our towns will also be inevitable. But it makes sense to protect green field sites as far as possible and make the best use of previously developed sites, such as the area around the station.

"It's important for the economic vitality of the area to build more homes. If we are going to attract more companies, there needs to be affordable places where their staff can live."

The government has employed independent planning consultants to see if local authorities in the West Midlands can deliver more housing in line with the growth it wants to see - three million homes built nationwide by 2020.

At the moment, the number set for the region up to 2026 is 365,000, but the new level is more likely to be 400,000.

District council planner Philip Clarke said: "Whether Warwick district sees any of that increase will depend on whether the government thinks it is doing enough or should be doing more.

"The government figures will be published in October and everybody will have a chance to study them and consider their reasoning."

l For more information on 'options for growth' in the district visit www.warwickdc.gov.uk/corestrategy or call 456505.

l The West Midlands Regional Assembly is the government's regional planning body. It has representatives from each local authority and the private, voluntary and community sectors.