Salford's planning chief has called on housing developers to build on brown field sites - not green field.

The city's Assistant Mayor for Planning, Councillor Derek Antrobus, has asked for developers to avoid building on local green field sites and look at "removing the eyesore of brown field sites" instead.

Councillor Antrobus has written to major developers, including Taylor Wimpey and Peel Land and Property, to urge them to look at the dormant brown field sites across Salford, which already have planning permission but have not been built on.

His appeal follows the council starting work on a new local plan and encouraging local people to get involved.

Salford residents will be asked to identify sites that should be protected from development.

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Salford residents have until the end of March to make their voices heard on the future of land and housing development across the city.

Councillor Antrobus said: "We want developers to concentrate on our existing brown field sites, rather than green field. Many already have planning permission and would be relatively easy to get started.

"Some have been forgotten about and are being ignored, when they are perfectly suitable for development. Local communities are crying out for the removal of eyesore brown field sites, rather than risk losing new green field sites.

"We know that developers are having a hard time securing finance to build. Many homebuyers are struggling to secure mortgages. But if developers have the money to develop, they should start by looking at brown field sites.

"We have a housing shortage that could be filled by building on these allocated brown field sites. I would like to open a discussion with developers to bring forward sites.

"The local plan is a chance to respond to the long-term needs of the city. We need new ways of meeting the big challenges in Salford and to decide on those democratically with residents.

"How do we provide homes, jobs and leisure facilities? How can we be a greener city? What should we be doing on housing, schools and open sites? These are the vital questions that need answering in the long-term interests of Salford."

(CD/GK)