COUNCIL bosses in York were today urged to be more creative about redeveloping land in a bid to stop house building on unblemished green sites.

According to new figures, only 48 per cent of new housing developments were built on brownfield sites between 1998 and 2001.

This means the city is lagging behind the England average of 57 per cent and leaves planning chiefs with a tough task to hit Government targets.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister wants at least 60 per cent of new homes to be built on redeveloped land by 2008.

Selby did even worse, with only 24 per cent of development taking placed on brownfield land. The remaining new homes were built on previously untouched fields.

Ryedale managed 48 per cent, Hambleton 45 per cent, Craven 52 per cent and Scarborough 53 per cent.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister recognises cities such as York face a crippling shortage of affordable homes.

But officials want local authority planners to only build on undeveloped green sites as a last resort. Housing Minister Lord Rooker said: "Use of brownfield sites benefits towns by redeveloping waste ground and run-down buildings, and benefits the countryside by relieving pressure to build on green fields.

"I would urge councils to think creatively about the land they have and the powers they can use to make sure more high quality homes are provided as a matter of priority."

The Government said it was reviewing planning laws to make it easier to redevelop brownfield sites.

"House builders tell me the planning system can act as a barrier to development," Lord Rooker said.

Updated: 10:34 Monday, June 02, 2003