One of the biggest family owned homebuilders in Scotland is pivoting new developments towards providing more bungalows, which tend to be most popular amongst maturer age groups, for the first time since 2018. In recent times, most homebuilders tended to prioritise multiple-storey houses due to the lower profit margins that are achievable when building bungalows. 

However, Muir Homes, part of the Muir Group, is bucking this trend, starting with their new development in Stanley in Perthshire. The Deer Pines development will have two different bungalow house types, with 2-bed and 3-bed semi detached available to buy. More than a fifth of the development will be one-storey.

The 3 bedroom Brodick is on sale for £290,000 with over 884 sq ft of floor space. With an open plan kitchen and living room the 2 bedroom Fraser is on sale for £245,000 with 645 sq ft.

The change comes as National Records for Scotland reported in their most recent review of demographic trends that there are now more people aged 65 and over than people under 15 in the country. They explained that ‘This trend is mainly driven by the post-war baby boom generation getting older. But also, by people living longer and fertility in Scotland falling. Fertility is now at the lowest recorded level and is one of the lowest in Europe.’

According to National Records for Scotland, in the 1971 census, over a quarter of the population was under the age of 15 with only 12% being aged 65 and over. In the 2021 census this had flipped to be more than one fifth of the population being 65 and over, with just 15% being under the age of 15.

With its very own forest, wildflower meadows, and air source heat pumps, the Deer Pines development will also have a keen focus on the environment and deliver reduced running costs for homebuyers. 

Martin Smith, Chief Executive of Muir Group, commented: “Scotland’s changing demographics have been clear to see for some time now and with more and more interest in bungalows we are taking a strategic decision to build more of them going forward.

“Understandably, mature groups and even young families are now shifting towards single-storey homes due to ease of accessibility or indeed, just trend-setting. We believe that our developments thrive when we create homes that attract a wide range of groups that quickly establish and evolve into a vibrant and sustainable community.”

“Our new development in Perthshire will buck the trend of most homebuilders across Scotland, not only for its availability of bungalows, but also because of the focus on the environment and ensuring homes are fit for the future.”

JQ Rise, a striking new 226-home development at the edge of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, has marked the major milestone of reaching its highest point during construction – known as ‘topping out’. The scheme has been delivered by Birmingham-based residential developer and investor Prosperity Group.

JQ Rise is located on Summer Hill Road & Goodman Street. The new homes are spread
across three blocks ranging from four, eight and a 25-storey tower and includes external
communal gardens for residents.

The milestone was celebrated by members of the Prosperity Group team, as well as some of the scheme’s major contributors, including FPMcCann, CBP Architects, and Thornley &
Lumb Partnership.

The building has topped out two years after groundworks were laid. The internal fit out of the building is also being completed at pace, with the development set to welcome its first
residents in Summer 2024.

All 226 new homes have already been sold ahead of completion of the new milestone
residential scheme. JQ Rise is among several Prosperity Group-led projects being developed across Birmingham in 2024, with works set to begin on 146 new homes on Kent Street in Southside and 687 new homes in Digbeth later this year.

Joe Billingham, Chief Executive at Prosperity Group, said: “I am delighted that we have now reached this milestone as we draw closer to completing the entire development of JQ Rise. It is a fantastic project for Birmingham and one that we are extremely proud of. It has seen us transform of a brownfield site to deliver new homes as well as local growth and prosperity.

“JQ Rise is a key part of our exciting development pipeline for 2024, as we continue to
deliver high-quality places for people to live. This moment is a clear sign that we are
delivering for the city.”

Mark McCann, Director at FPMcCann, said: “We’ve been delighted to partner with Prosperity Group on this excellent project. It is a great showpiece scheme right in the centre of Birmingham and one with great unique features that helps elevate the value JQ Rise creates for the city and local area.”