CAMPAIGNERS say there are enough brownfield sites across Cheshire West to build more than 7,000 new homes.

And they want planning chiefs to make sure that land is built on first – not the greenbelt.

In its ‘State of the Greenbelt’ report, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) says there are plans to build 1,300 homes on greenbelt in Cheshire West – but at least 7,774 homes could be built on brownfield sites in the borough.

At least 2,120 of those brownfield homes could be built within the next five years, CPRE argues.

Tom Fyans, director of campaigns and policy at CPRE, says greenbelt land is being ‘eroded at an alarming rate’ across the country.

“The Government is failing in its commitment to protect the greenbelt,” he said.

“It is essential, if the greenbelt is to fulfil its main purposes and provide 30 million of us with access to the benefits of the countryside, that the redevelopment of brownfield land is prioritised, and greenbelt protection strengthened.”

CPRE says that there are plans to build almost 460,000 homes on greenbelt land across the country – including 97,200 in the north west.

But unlike elsewhere in England, Cheshire West and Chester Council says that the 1,300 greenbelt homes set for the borough are made up of just one major development in Wrexham Road, Chester – not multiple sites across the area.

Cllr Louise Gittins, CWAC cabinet member for communities and wellbeing, said: “The council values the borough’s greenbelt land and, as the planning authority, makes decisions on applications lodged on greenbelt land against strict national and local policy.

“Chester is surrounded by greenbelt land and in order for the city to grow and continue to flourish economically the council took the decision in 2015 to release a portion of land in Wrexham Road from its greenbelt status.

“This will enable 1,300 high quality homes to be built, together with essential community facilities including a new school, shops and health centre.

“Hundreds of local people and businesses were consulted as part of the local plan work and the feedback we received help shape the final plan.”

Neighbouring Cheshire East Council has approved plans to build 4,747 homes on greenbelt land according to CPRE, which says the borough has space for 2,532 homes on brownfield sites.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government added: “We are clear that building the homes our country needs does not mean tearing up our countryside.

“Last year the number of new homes built was the highest in a decade, and only 0.02 per cent of the greenbelt was developed for residential use.

“We are adding more certainty to the planning system and our new planning rulebook strengthens national protections for the greenbelt, and says that councils may only alter boundaries in exceptional circumstances once they have looked at all other options.”