Most English people want to live in a detached house, according to a CABE report that warns that increasing housing densities risks repeating the mistakes of the 1960s.

A survey carried out by MORI for the architecture watchdog concludes that more than half of those surveyed would like to live in a detached property.

Bungalows, the most popular choice of accommodation in CABE’s last poll three years ago, was the preference of 22%. Fourteen per cent said they want to live in a semi-detached house and 7% said a terraced home.

The poll showed that period properties were considered most desirable by a cross-section of the public, but that the youngest age group preferred a loft-style home.

Nearly half of those living in recently built developments complained about inadequate car parking provision.

The report concluded that the preference for suburban living must be recognised.

“Care must be taken now if the housing being built now does not meet the same fate as that constructed during the 1960s. Much of this housing was built in a similar sellers’ market in the sense that slum dwellers were only too pleased to get a new homes of whatever type and little note was taken of consumer preferences.”

Richard Simmons, CABE chief executive, said: “The challenge for us is how we reconcile this consumer preference with the need to build more homes and not devour the green belt.”

The What Home Buyers Want report be downloaded from www.cabe.org.uk