THE number of homes being built in Warrington could almost treble according to new figures.

The North West Regional Assembly figures show between 1,213 and 1,738 homes could be built annually in the borough over the coming years - compared to the current annual average rate of housing provision of 380.

The study estimated household growth figures for the future based on the number of new jobs which may be created under three different economic scenarios.

The North West Regional Assembly is the regional planning body for the north west and could be using the figures to work with local planning authorities to allocate actual

house building rates.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) says that if these figures become a reality it could mean many green fields are lost.

Clare Mumford from CPRE said: "If the report's figures were translated directly into planning policies, far more green field land would be destroyed than necessary. The study does not necessarily reflect the places where suitable housing land exists for future development.

"The regional planners must now draw up realistic figures for new house building rates , which are not based on wishful thinking and which take into account the impact on the countryside and green field site as well as local housing needs."