Brownfield land could provide building space for up to a million new homes in England, the Government said yesterday.
The Department for Communities and Local Government claimed statistics showed enough land for 400,000 homes in the South-east.
But junior Minister Baroness Andrews said local authorities could do more with the land available.
Annual statistics estimate 63,500 hectares of previously developed land was available last year.
Of this, 44 per cent or 27,600 hectares, is suitable for housing, with the remaining for uses such as commerce or recreation.
The DCLG said 74 per cent of new developments are built on previously used land and there was an 11 per cent reduction in land left derelict or vacant compared to five years ago.
Baroness Andrews said: "This Government has made it clear suitable brownfield land must be a priority for any new development and that is why three-quarters of new developments are being built on such sites.
"There is a real need for homes if we are to meet the housing needs of future generations and these statistics show many of these could go on re-used sites. In some areas it may be necessary to bring forward other sites, but there are areas where local authorities could be doing more with the land available.
"By making the most of brownfield land, authorities can protect the countryside whilst ensuring more homes for first-time buyers."
