DUDLEY is exceeding government targets when it comes to house building, analysis by the BBC has revealed.

The BBC’s Shared Data Unit has compared government targets for each local authority area in the UK with the number of homes being built on average each year in those areas – and Dudley is surpassing its target, a data investigation has shown.

According to the figures – the government’s assessment of the number of new homes needed in Dudley was 601 but analysis by the BBC has revealed that, on average, around 628 homes have been created per year over the last ten years.

The statistics, which cover new builds and property conversions, show Dudley is exceeding the government target by four per cent.

But according to the BBC the creation of new homes in the borough still has not recovered to pre-crash levels.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said: “The economic down turn of 2008 hit the construction industry and property markets hard and we are now seeing a recovery from those difficult days. Dudley Council has recognised the national housing challenge and these figures show how we have successfully committed to supporting sustainable development within the borough.

“We will continue our work with partners to secure funding for the conversion of disused brownfield sites wherever it is possible to ensure we have an adequate supply of housing whilst doing all we can to protect the borough’s valued greenbelt space.”

In Dudley - 19 per cent of land is green belt, considered a heritage site or otherwise protected or restricted from development.