A Labour parliamentary candidate challenging housing minister Kris Hopkins for his Keighley seat has outlined a five-point plan for national housing policy.

John Grogan says he would restore the previous Labour Government’s policy of brownfield development first.

He said: “This measure, which would prioritise building houses on previously developed land, would help lessen the pressure for development on greenfields in Keighley, Ilkley and the villages of the Aire, Worth and Wharfe Valleys.

“Labour got the proportion of housing built on previously developed land up to nearly 75 per cent. There is still enough brownfield land available to build 1.5 million homes nationally.

“I was pleased to see that Bradford Council changed their own housing plans recently but they can only really prioritise brownfield development if this becomes national policy again.”

Mr Grogan says he would also encourage the development of some new towns nationally, on sites such as land close to the M62. And he says he would help councils and housing associations to borrow to build, abolish the ‘bedroom tax’, and ensure all private landlords are properly licensed and regulated.

He plans to submit his ideas to Sir Michael Lyons, who has been asked by Labour leader Ed Milliband to draw up a plan for housing policy.