PRESTON councillors have voted unanimously to support a government directive to regenerate brownfield sites before developing greenfield areas.

A meeting of the borough's planning committee supported the new approach -- which will apply to areas such as English Partnership's housing developments at Cottam and Ingol.

The scale of housing and the mix of other uses on those sites are now likely to be reviewed before further development starts.

There are also implications for the emerging Preston Local Plan which will allocate housing in Goosnargh, Broughton and Grimsargh.

Coun Ron Atkins, chair of the planning committee, said: "The new approach finally takes on board the principles we pioneered some years ago but which were not accepted by either structure or local plan inquiries. The council consistently tried to ensure that the majority of new housing should occur in towns or formerly-developed brownfield sites, rather than rural areas. "The guidance now gives councils the tools to resist unsustainable development in the rural area which relies too heavily on the motor car and eats up valuable countryside. I am confident this will result in a radical review of the local plan, which will be welcomed by all political parties."

The new guidance requires:

that councils avoid developments of less than 30 houses per hectare where possible - the current standard is 25.

that local housing needs be designed in keeping with the character of the village and that sufficient land be made available within adjoining existing villages.

that mixed-use developments should be encouraged, especially in town centres.

and that an average of 1.5 car spaces be developed per dwelling.