The Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) identifies how local housing needs and priorities will be addressed, including which housing projects are anticipated to be delivered over the five years to 2023.

The figure of 1,177 is based on assumed funding amounts and that all land and infrastructure challenges are resolved in a timely manner and the construction sector has capacity to deliver projects.

It is anticipated that the large majority of the homes would be delivered by local registered social landlords.

Councillor Mark Rowley, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for business and economic development, said: “This is an ambitious plan, and is based on a number of assumptions, but would go a long way to meeting the housing needs of local people.

“Clearly house-building of this scale would also have a very positive impact on the local construction sector, and in turn on jobs and the wider economy, and the end result would provide local people with homes in Borders communities, enabling them to live and work locally. This would have a longer term positive impact on the local economy.

“There are without doubt some challenges to be overcome to reaching this ambitious target, not least land supply. However, there have been some recent examples where developers have partnered with registered social landlords to open up undeveloped housing sites through delivery of affordable homes prior to building homes for sale. This generates cash flow and income for the developers and reduces the risk from their perspective.”

The council’s executive committee meets on October 17.