MORE affordable homes have been built in the region over the past two years than at any other time since 2010, new figures show.

And the data, from West Yorkshire Combined Authority, also reveals that nearly a quarter of all new houses built regionally during the two-year period were affordable – more than in many other regions of the UK.

The news is welcomed by West Yorkshire's mayor, Tracy Brabin, who has unveiled plans to further boost the affordable housing stock.

Over £15 million of Brownfield Housing Fund cash will help build 1,119 more homes in districts including Bradford.

Ms Brabin says: "Britain is in the grip of the worst housing crisis in living memory, with millions of working people struggling to afford their mortgages, rents and heating bills, and rough sleeping on the rise.

"In West Yorkshire, we believe that every single person has a fundamental right to a safe and secure place to call home, so we’re bringing forward urgent plans to deliver hundreds of new homes across our region.

"But to build new houses on the scale that we need, Government must untether us from the inflexible, centralised rules that hold up brownfield land developments, so that we can build a brighter, more vibrant West Yorkshire that works for all."

The new homes will benefit from a range of measures designed to reduce energy bills, such as solar panels and heat pumps.

Councillor Denise Jeffery, chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority's place, housing and regeneration committee, says: "I’m delighted we’re able to bring forward plans for hundreds of new, much-needed homes across West Yorkshire.

"But this is not the ceiling of our ambition – by 2040, we want to have built enough affordable, sustainable and high-quality homes for everyone in the region.

"That means further developing an agreement with Homes England and boosting our partnerships with housing providers, as we look to deliver a happy region that works for all."

Ms Brabin is writing to the Government's Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary, Michael Gove, seeking more flexibility to develop on brownfield land across West Yorkshire.

She says: "Currently housing projects can only proceed where the land values are relatively high, as each new project must show financial benefits that outweigh costs. As such, it is difficult for regional leaders to back housing projects in areas where land values are relatively low, yet where regeneration is needed."