PLANNING bosses in Bury have welcomed proposals not to build new homes at the expense of the countryside.

With local authorities committed to providing a greater variety of low-cost homes, a new consultation document suggests the majority of new housing targets should be met by using former industrial land (brownfield sites) and existing properties in Bury.

The government paper is seen as another major step towards revitalising towns and cities while protecting the surrounding Green Belt countryside from unnecessary development.

The new guidlines will require local authorities to consider using previously developed land and buildings before releasing greenfield sites for housing.

It also advises developers and local authorities to place the needs of people before cars in designing the layout of residential developments.

Mr Ian Cheetham, director of development and environmental services, said: "Bury Council has always been conscious of protecting Green Belt sites from development and has always preferred to see brownfield sites used and older housing replaced.

"The guidance supports our own aims and will also help towards improving traffic issues. The nearer homes are built to the town centre then the less need there is for using cars."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.