BOLTON MP Sir David Crausby has hit out at the Government for failing to promote development of brownfield sites.

Mr Crausby, who represents Bolton North East, said he is frequently asked by constituents as to why more brownfield land is not used for housing which could protect green sites.

He said: “ I agree with this, and this approach requires Government policy to encourage developers to behave against their instincts.

“Housing developers will always prefer to build on nice green spaces because it is easier for them and usually goes hand in hand with building bigger, more expensive properties in the nicest areas. Many brownfield sites need extra work like decontamination of soil before they can be built on.”

He added: “This Government is failing in this area. Research by the Environmental Audit Committee revealed that the Government has drastically cut funds needed to encourage new building on brownfield sites. Funding to detoxify soil has fallen from £17.5m a year in 2009/10 to just £500,000 in 2014 and will be phased out in 2017.”