WIRRAL South MP Ben Chapman has welcomed the Government's policy statement on the Green Belt and household growth issued by the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

Said Mr Chapman: "The Government strategy for urban renaissance and the protection of the countryside involves greater flexibility in regional planning, decentralisation of decision making and targeting development of brown field sites.

"More local responsibility can only be a good thing. The strategy is based on a bottom-up approach not top-down imposition and local authorities will be able to translate new regional guidance into plans and actions on the ground.

"That gives us locally in Wirral a much greater say in managing new household growth - local decision making and local accountability.

"The Government is still committed to protecting the Green Belt and the strong presumption against inappropriate development in the Green Belt will remain."

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