The Government has asked that house builders return to building the traditional, family terraced home, after fears that a drought in house building is clogging up the market and preventing people from moving.

Speaking at a conference on regeneration and renewal, housing minister Yvette Cooper said: "Local authorities will have to think specifically about the need for family housing as part of the planning process to make sure that they've got a mix of different kinds of housing.

"It's about the revival of the town house, the revival of the terraced house."

Ms Cooper said that in future a greater number of the 170,000 new homes built every year must be suitable for families.

In the South West of England, house builder Redrow is already satisfying this need on a number of fronts; offering a variety of terraced homes and town houses that are sure to appeal to any family - large or small.

Lorraine Kendrick, sales director for Redrow Homes (South West) said: "Whilst Redrow is still building apartments in appropriate locations, which are perfect for first-time buyers or down-sizers, we also understand that it is vitally important to address the needs of other home-buyers, particularly families."

More than half of Redrow's developments in the South West have some form of traditional family housing.

Lorraine said: "The Teign house type which is available at the sought-after Abbey Manor in Priory Vale, Swindon, for example, is perfect for those who enjoy flexible living over three floors and home-buyers can now see for themselves and we have just opened the Teign show home at Abbey Manor."

The ground-floor in the Teign features an open plan family/dining room, kitchen and a cloakroom. The lounge is located on the first floor along with the master bedroom, which boasts an en-suite shower room and fitted wardrobes, and another cloakroom/wc.

The remaining three bedrooms and a family bathroom can be found on the second floor.'' Bristol-based Redrow Homes (South West) is currently building in Swindon, Chippenham, Trowbridge and Westbury, in Wiltshire, at Gloucester and Nailsworth, in Gloucestershire, and Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset.

Prices for a three-bedroom terrace home start from £214,995 depending on the location. See individual developments for more details including a range of incentives. Call 0845 676 0500 for details or visit www.redrow.co.uk.