A HOUSING firm in Bolton is calling on the town's planners to be more flexible and allow houses to be build on disused business sites.

According to MDA, based in Manchester Road, too many sites that could be used for affordable homes have become redundant.

Government planning rules state that permission can be granted for modernisation, refurbishment and redevelopment of commercial sites for business purposes.

Housing may be allowed where it would not affect remaining business, and where there is no demand for the site to be used for employment.

MDA managing director Mark Evans said: "If a company's relocation to a lower-cost site assures its future and its existing site is converted into housing that pumps money into an area, surely it's good news for everyone.

"If planners don't become more flexible, many viable housing options will continue to be ignored."