The leader of Gosport Borough Council has said it will "not be possible" to reach the government's new homes requirement, as nominations open for sites to build on.

Councillor Peter Chegwyn said the council is making an effort to provide new homes in the area and called for help to identify sites for development.

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Cllr Chegwyn said: "It will not be possible to achieve the Government's requirement of 442 homes per year in Gosport, especially without the provision of extra doctors, dentists and school places, plus improvements to our transport infrastructure.  

"However, the council is making every effort to provide new homes and business premises in the borough, where appropriate, and the call for sites provides a further opportunity for interested parties to put forward sites for consideration."

The council's local plan sets a target of 170 homes per year.

The Gosport Borough Local Plan has its final round of consultation in the next 12 months, which will determine future planning applications in Gosport until 2040.

The council are asking for nominations for sites in Gosport which may be suitable for development.

Individuals and organisations can submit nominations on Gosport Borough Council's website.

Cllr Chegwyn said: "We want to ensure all available sites are considered, including those that people think should be kept as they are, used for open spaces or nature conservation.

"The council's policy is that we do not want to see any development on existing green field sites."

The call for sites closes on Friday, May 9.