Demand for bungalows on the increase – McStone

Seventy per cent of over 65s would consider moving into a bungalow, but the build rate of this house type is “plummeting”, according to research from retirement housebuilder McCarthy Stone.

This level of interest in bungalow living is up from 60% in 2019 and equal to 8.4 million people, an increase of 1.2 million from 2019.

According to McStone’s research, “demand for one-level living is on the rise,” perhaps driven by the effects of the pandemic and the wish to move to more suitable accommodation, “including bungalows”.

Yet, the figures showed, only 1,833 new bungalows were built in 2020, a 23% drop against 2019, representing less than 1% of new homes built.

The data also highlighted the long term decline in bungalow building, with 2020’s total an 80% decrease on the 9,347 bungalows built in 2000.

The research also found that 71% of over-65s thought that more bungalows should be built for older people, against the 65% of 2019.

“Multiple factors” were driving the increased appetite for bungalows. These include the desire to live on one level (57% of research respondents), the easier maintenance (43%) and being much better suited to older people than conventional houses (39%).

McStone said that planning policies had restricted the viability of bungalows with higher density schemes favoured. It called for a change to legislation to help support this increasing demand for bungalows and other housing specifically designed for older people. This could include age-restricted bungalow-only sites in local plans, it suggested.

The business also said it was “one of few companies” building new bungalows. In January, it was granted planning permission for a scheme of 49 bungalows in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire.

John Tonkiss, McStone’s ceo, said: “Bungalows are increasingly popular among older generations – they are easier to maintain, are built with older people in mind and help maintain independence for longer given their step free access and easy adaptability – yet bungalow building has collapsed in recent years.

“The impact of lockdown and Covid-19 is likely leading older people to want to consider living in a more suitable property, and bungalows fit into this category.

“We urge government to consider new planning rules to improve the viability of developing bungalow development.”

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