A CALL has gone out to housing developers who feel they could build on long empty eyesore sites if they were given financial support.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority was awarded a £67 million Brownfield Housing Fund by Government last year as part of the region's devolution deal.

It is hoped that the fund will help to build 4,500 to 6,000 new homes across West Yorkshire over the next four years. The aim is to develop sites that have remained empty as they are otherwise too costly to develop.

The Combined Authority now inviting applications for support from developers who would benefit from financial help.

A spokesman for the Authority said: "The authority is especially keen to hear from developers whose schemes can introduce measures to reduce carbon emissions. Allocations will also be prioritised to schemes which are in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage, as well as schemes that support the creation of affordable homes."

Visit www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/projects/brownfield-housing-fund for more details on the scheme and information on how to apply.

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Councillor Tim Swift, Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leader of Calderdale council said: “Securing funding from the Brownfield Housing Fund is a real boost for housing in West Yorkshire, as it will see a range of sites developed that would otherwise remain stalled or un-utilised.

"There is a wealth of brownfield land across West Yorkshire that is ripe for development and we want to hear from anyone who thinks they may have sites that could benefit from our help and support.

“Unlocking development sites and creating well-connected neighbourhoods that deliver much-needed affordable housing, is central to our aim to create a strong and growing economy that works for all our communities.”