Hundreds of households on the Hardwick estate took part in a consultation exercise by Stockton Council, with 73% of people backing the proposals.

These include new family homes, a retirement village and a new �3m state of the art Hardwick primary school.

The council's cabinet will discuss the plans this week, and if they get the go-ahead work could start in 2006.

The plans will be developed by the council, along with Endeavour Housing Association , Tees Valley Housing Association and private house builders.

The initial proposals include provision of high quality, safe and attractive recreational and open space.

Councillor Martyn Ingram, cabinet member for Housing and Community Safety, said: "We have involved the local community in drawing up the proposals from the outset and the results are very supportive.

"What makes this scheme so exciting is its scope and vision - it is a top quality regeneration scheme designed to provide a high quality and attractive place to live."