Death of bungalows: New homes drop 70 per cent in one year in latest blow for the elderly
One storey homes are not being built as frequently
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Bungalows were once a popular option for homeowners, but fewer are being built than ever before.
The number of new bungalows being registered has dropped a whopping 70 per cent in the last year.
Just 226 new bungalows were registered to be built between July and September this year.
This is according to new data from the National House Building Council (NHBC).
New bungalows are 'near extinction'
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One-storey homes may not seem practical to build anymore, with a shortage of space across the UK.
The one-storey properties do not hold as many occupants as larger homes or flats built on the same plot of land.
Steve Wood, CEO at NHBC said: “Land is a scarce resource, which developers make use of in the most efficient way possible.
“On a plot for a single bungalow, it may be possible to build three or even four houses."
However, they can be ideal housing for the elderly who need easy access to everything in their property.
Previous research found the majority of elderly people want to live in single-storey homes.
Some 70 per cent of over 65s want to live on one level and 49 per cent said bungalows are better suited to them, according to a study by McCarthy & Stone.
Bungalows are also important for those who have mobility issues who also need things to be reachable on the same floor.
Still, is unlikely many more bungalows will be built as the expert suggested they are "critically endangered", causing a blow for those most in need.
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The majority of elderly people said they would prefer a bungalow
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Mr Wood said: "It is too early to say the bungalow is extinct.
"What we can see is they are certainly on the critically endangered list with economic and land pressures as well as changes in consumer demand contributing to a decline in their construction.
"Bungalows can be a more expensive option for both developers and buyers compared to two-storey homes. Traditionally seen as ideal retirement properties, the decreasing availability of bungalows is leading to new-build homes becoming more desirable for older people, with their modern layouts and increased energy efficiency.”
This comes as house prices continue to change in the UK.
The top 10 UK areas where house prices have risen the most have been shared.
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