The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has unveiled a strategy for building 211,000 homes over the next 16 years in Milton Keynes and in the South Midlands - up 45 per cent on previous estimates.

Under the plans, some green belt land may have to be used for housing, John Prescott's department admitted.

Lord Rooker, the minister for regeneration, said: "This is not about the number of homes, it is about creating homes for people, places where they want to work and bring up their families."