ABOUT 75 per cent of people would be prepared to live in high-density housing, provided it is in a rural setting, according to a new survey carried out by Gallup on behalf of Strutt & Parker. That's good news for the government which wants to see more houses per hectare built on brownfield and greenfield sites.

The survey's principal finding is also likely to be welcomed by developers, who may have been concerned that smaller plot sizes and a higher number of homes per hectare would put off potential buyers.

COUNTRYWIDE Assured Group has confirmed that the average uplift in property values, nationally, over the first six months of the year reached nine per cent. This brought the average house price to £107,700.

Michael Ansell, managing director of Mann & Co, which is part of the Countrywide Group, said: "Inevitably, these figures are just a snapshot of the national market. In South East London and Kent, we have seen average prices rise by as much as 11.96 per cent, with a number of towns being particularly helped by drawing buyers from the capital and west Kent in the search for value for money properties."

THERE was an immediate downturn in housing market activity following the terrorist attacks in the USA, says the National Association of Estate Agents.

According to the NAEA's monthly housing market survey, 54 per cent of respondents said the number of viewings had dipped in September compared to the previous month.

House prices, however, were reported as 13 per cent higher on average than one year ago.

NAEA chief executive, Hugh Dunsmore-Hardy, said the slight downturn in activity should be seen in the context of a market which had out-performed against all expectations during 2001.

A NEW Spanish development is being marketed by the Real Estate Group, which has its UK office in Hastings. Mazarron Country Club, at Mazzaron, on the Costa Calida, will be a showpiece "village" development and a number of house styles are on offer.

The scheme will include health club facilities, a tropical swimming pool, tennis courts and a nine-hole golf course. Prices start at £42,000 for a one-bedroom semi-detached bungalow.

The region is well known for its abundance of wildlife and herbs and is within easy driving distance of Alicante airport. Mazzaron is both a fishing port and horticultural centre, while the bay boasts 35 kilometres of unspoilt coastline. Mountains form an impressive backdrop.

Jill Marten, who runs the Hastings office, said: "We venture to say it is Spain's best-kept secret." She added that the Real Estate Group had just completed its first year of trading and had had a "very good start."

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