THE Isle of Wight will be given nearly £950,000 in government money to build new homes on brownfield land.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, today announced 53 councils will benefit from the £75 million Brownfield Land Release Fund.

MP Bob Seely welcomed the Island's windfall, which he said will help with the construction of new homes on brownfield sites across the Island.

He has repeatedly objected to greenfield developments.

He said: “I am delighted the government has created this fund and allocated us a share of it.

"I and others have been suggesting that more money is made available to support brownfield clean-up for housing.

“We need housebuilding, in sensitive numbers, in exiting communities, for Islanders. What we do not need is low density, car dependent, greenfield development which damages our quality of life, our tourism economy and which does permanent damage to the landscape.”

Mr Gove said: “We are levelling up and backing home ownership in every corner of the country, delivering new high-quality, affordable homes and creating thriving places where people want to live, work and visit.

“Making the most of previously developed land is a government priority and it will help protect our cherished countryside and green spaces.”