COUNCIL chiefs have won Government backing for their housing policy.

Greenwich Council announced in January it wanted to retain control of its housing stock, rather than hand it over to housing associations.

Now the Government has written to the council giving it formal approval to follow the plan, which will see it invest more than £200m in housing improvements.

Member for housing Councillor Peter Kotz said: "We are delighted to be one of the only councils in London which is keeping direct control of its housing stock.

"Our tenants were quite clear this is what they wanted to see."

Under the Decent Homes initiative the council must bring all of its homes up to a national quality standard by 2010.