ONE step ahead of the Government, that's Bury Council. The local authority has, for some time, been looking at ways to protect green field sites in the borough and recycle land for new housing.

The issue hit the headlines a few days ago when Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott came out in favour of using 'brown field' redevelopment sites in towns and cities. But Bury Council has not waited for a government lead on the subject.

At a meeting last night, development services committee members examined a revolutionary new report Exploring Urban Potential for Housing. They were also deciding on whether to organise report seminars.

If the seminars go ahead the findings of the report - and their relevance in the local area - will be looked at in more detail.

Councillor Julie Higson explained: "It is coincidental that we are discussing this issue during the same week that it has been raised at a national level.

"That underlines our own commitment to environmental and green issues locally. "We are very well aware of the need for new homes to meet future household growth but we are not convinced that there is no alternative but to use green field sites.

"We want to investigate all possibilities and be sure that we have the policies in place to tackle issues of this kind."

She added: "This new study provides a detailed methodology to enable local authorities throughout the North West to assess the capacity of their urban areas and accommodate additional housing in a consistent and thorough manner."

The report was produced by Llewelyn-Davies for the North West Regional Association.

Planners believe it has important implications for future housing land requirements as well as establishing a balance between brown field and green field sites.

The report looks at building houses in place of disused or under-used mills, warehouses and schools in existing built-up areas. It also looks at the potential for converting buildings to residential or mixed-use accommodation.

Car parking, development density and urban quality are all covered in the study.

Coun Higson added: "I would like to think that we will endorse the early implementation of the study methodology in Bury.

"A seminar or series of seminars would allow us to discuss in more detail, and with the widest possible audience, the study and the issues it raises."

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