UNUSED former Government land has been released to build more than 650 new homes in Warrington.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles said the land has been sold off during the current five year Parliament cycle.

The 656 homes created in the borough are part of the 6,000 in the north west as a whole.

Land in Warrington includes former MOD land in Chapelford and Omega.

The Government is calling on councils and developers to help turn it into housing 'as soon as possible', and is urging local authorities up and down the country to follow this example and sell their redundant sites and buildings.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles said: "Housebuilding is at the heart of the Government’s long-term economic plan. That’s why, rather than leaving surplus public sector land idle, we are putting it to good use by releasing it to build new homes across the country.

“This is part of wider efforts that have got Britain building again, leading to the delivery of 700,000 new homes since the end of 2009.

“I now want to see councils following Whitehall’s example and explore what they can do to release land and deliver new homes and savings for local taxpayers.”