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.”

Home builders : Non-essential maintenance work in homes allowed from 26 April. Scottish home builders are keenly awaiting the planned 26 April lifting of restrictions which have prevented workers from entering customers’ homes for non-essential aftercare work during the latest lockdown and over a large part of the last year.

This is one of the top priorities for the Board of trade body Homes for Scotland (HFS), which met last week, coinciding with the positive news that the industry had achieved a record level of customer satisfaction with 91% of customers willing to recommend their builder to a friend.

HFS Chief Executive Nicola Barclay said:

“As every new home is a bespoke product, there will inevitably be some aftercare required but, for much of the last year, builders have been unable to undertake anything other than essential work in people’s homes.  “Our members tell us that customers have been extremely patient as they recognise the Scottish Government-imposed lockdown restrictions have been for their own safety, but the end of April really can’t come soon enough. Undeniably, there will be a backlog to work through, but our members are busy preparing for that challenge and are keen to resolve any outstanding issues for their customers as soon as they can.”

Property & Development Magazine