Bradford is second only to Leeds in the number of new homes built in Yorkshire and Humberside.

But although 1,299 homes were built in the Bradford Council district in the 12 months to March 2006, only 46 (or 3.5 per cent) were for social housing.

And a trades union spokesman branded it a scandal that no council homes were built in the region in that period. But Bradford Community Housing Trust says its key priority is building new affordable homes and it is investing in almost 200 of them over the next two years.

Across England, 163,398 new homes were built in the year to March 2006. Of these, 18,162 were for housing associations and 299 for councils. In all 11.3 per cent was social housing.

In Kirklees, 814 homes were built by the private sector and ten - or 1.2 per cent - by registered social landlords. Calderdale saw a new-build total of 746, with eight being social housing (1.1 per cent). Craven was second from bottom in the table, with 83 new homes built, none being social or council housing.

The figures were released by the GMB union which called on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to step up the building of new homes across the country.

Regional secretary Tim Roache said: "It is something of a scandal that only 299 council houses were built in England, and none in the Yorkshire and Humberside region, in the year to March 2006."

Jez Lester, the housing trust's assistant chief executive, said: "Building new affordable homes is a key priority for Bradford Community Housing Trust and work is well under way on a number of sites. Through Firebird JVC Ltd - a development partnership between BCHT and four local housing associations - the trust is investing in the construction of nearly 200 homes over the next two years supported by social housing grants.

"Work is already under way on sites in Allerton, Bierley, Undercliffe and Wyke and this follows the completion of 21 affordable homes at Haworth Road in partnership with Manningham Housing Association. We are also actively looking at a number of potential new affordable housing developments with public and private sector partners."

In Saffron Drive, Allerton, a £2.8 million development of 34 family-size homes was begun in March. It is part of a partnership involving Bradford Community Housing Trust and Manningham Housing Association.

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