The quantity of flats being built in England has overtaken the number of detached houses under construction for the first time.

As a result of the Government’s planning directive to increase housing densities, the proportion of detached houses built by private house builders has slumped from 45% in 1999 to 32% in 2002. The proportion of flats has almost doubled from 17% to 32% over the same period.

Newly-released figures from the National House-Building Council for the first quarter of 2003 reveal an acceleration of this trend with flats making up 37% of completions with detached houses further declining to just 27%.

This is the first time on record that more flats are being built than detached homes. Coupled with the government target to ensure 60% of all new homes are built on brownfield sites - achieved last year six years ahead of schedule - these results demonstrate the speed of the drive for urban regeneration and high-density living.

Pierre Williams, spokesman for the House Builders Federation, said:

“These figures reveal an unprecedented change to the way we will live in the future. Current planning policy is ensuring the drive for compact cities continues unabated and house builders have responded positively and effectively to the new doctrine.”

“Indeed from a simplistic commercial viewpoint, high-density development suits house builders as land is invariably the most expensive component of any new development.”

“However, with Britons continuing to aspire to a home in the country and with the bungalow remaining Britain’s favourite home, we believe balancing the supply of flats and houses is essential.”

“There are as many types of ideal home as there are households. While improvements in urban design and quality are a cornerstone of furthering regeneration and increasing the popularity of high-density living, this will not suit everyone.”

“One-size-fits-all policies on housing have been tried in the past and have failed.”

“The push for high-density has been driven by the not-in-my-backyard lobby which has for many years claimed the countryside is in danger of being ‘concreted over’.

The facts tell a very different story with just 11 per cent of England’s land area urbanised whilst 16 per cent is protected as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 12% as Green Belt and a further eight per cent as National Park.

“The drive for higher density should not be taken as an improvement in Britain’s housing under-supply which continues to worsen rapidly by 60,000 homes a year or 165 a day.”