An extra 500 homes will be needed on top of the proposed 33,000 in South Cambs District Council’s Local Plan, independent experts have concluded.

The report published on Monday by experts who have given guidance to the government on planning matters, said that a total of 33,500 homes would be needed by 2031 to meet local needs.

The figure of 500 homes is a relief to council bosses, after suggestions of 10,000 extra homes were made by developers during the examination.

Councillor Robert Turner, who is responsible for planning at the district council, said: “There has been a huge effort by both councils to get some very complex and technical work completed to provide the additional evidence needed to address the questions from the government inspectors.

“It is good to see that all the in-depth work and consultations we have already carried out have been backed up by this extra work carried out by independent experts looking at it with fresh eyes.

“Once councillors have assessed the report we will be calling on your views.

“It is important for people to remember that the consultation we will be running is on the changes being proposed, not the whole of the Local Plan the council has put forward.”

The report also backs the council’s original strategy to deliver growth through new towns and villages, rather than building on Green Belt land.

The Joint Strategic Transport and Spatial Planning Group will consider the report on Monday before the district council’s planning portfolio holder and Cambridge City Council’s development plan scrutiny sub-committee consider it the following day.

The report will then be considered at full meetings of both South Cambs and Cambridge City Councils at 6pm on Monday, November 30 where councillors will be asked to agree for a public consultation to begin on Wednesday, December 2.

The modifications will then be submitted to planning inspectors by the end of March.

A meeting will also be held on Tuesday to make a decision on whether to approve a Neighbourhood Plan for Foxton.