What features in new housing builds are priorities compared to a decade ago?

It is said that over 300,000 new homes a year are needed to be built in order to keep up with the UK’s growing population. Between 2022 and 2023, just over 200,000 were built – a 60% increase from the 125,000 new homes a decade ago. This increase, described as the ‘race to build new homes’, isn’t just about numbers either, as new builds are also rapidly adapting to meet modern demands.

More than ever before, there is a focus on new-builds reaching higher standards in technological advancements, sustainability, and modern lifestyles, but what exactly has changed? The following article from property and construction specialists Watts reveals how housing priorities have changed over the past decade, and what we can expect in the years to come.

Environment and sustainability

Although the UK formally incorporated sustainability into its building regulations in the early 2000s, the past decade has seen a larger commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of new-builds; highlighted by the new regulations introduced in June 2022. These new regulations, set to help the UK deliver net zero, require that CO2 emissions from new build homes must be around 30% lower than current standards, bring the banning of gas and oil boilers, and outline that each new build must come with EV charging points, among many others.

As house-building policies become increasingly linked to net-zero goals, new-builds are progressively being made from responsibly sourced materials, low-VOC paints, and modular building methods to reduce waste and promote efficiency. Additionally, modern homes are being designed to promote energy conservation, whilst reducing the reliance on non-renewable energy. For instance, In Fife in Scotland, 80 new builds were set to be Gas free, allowing homeowners to rely less on energy consumption to fuel, heat, and light their homes.

Thanks to modern building practices, just under 1 million homes in England and Wales have an EPC of C++, compared to just 661,000 homes a decade ago.

Smart technology

This decade has witnessed the rise of the smart home, where an emphasis on smart technology such as lighting, smart security systems, HVAC controls, and pre-installed energy-efficient appliances – all integrated into one main tech ecosystem – have become commonplace. According to Samsung’s Smart Home Buyers Index, nearly 80% of people looking to move home in the next five years want their next home to be a smart one.

Smart technology has revolutionised modern living, with it offering not only more practical ways of living, but also its ability to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and reduce costs on the consumer.

Lifestyle and well-being 

Finally, developers have recognised the importance of health and well-being in a competitive market. In contrast to more compartmentalised and function-focused layouts from previous decades, there is a growing demand for multipurpose spaces, open-plan living, home offices, outdoor spaces, alongside increased access to community – especially post-pandemic.

A study conducted by Natural England demonstrated that city parks, community gardens, playing fields, and other urban sites were the most visited type of green space in England, and that living within 100 metres of such an area can raise house prices by an average of £2,500, demonstrating that addressing the housing crisis while focusing on both economic and social well-being adds significant value.

This emphasis on well-being has also brought biodiversity into focus, as specialist hedgehog fencing, bat boxes, and native tree planting are being incorporated into developments.

To conclude, in the face of growing challenges, new house builds are being looked at with a long-term vision. In 2024, looking forward to 2030, homes are evolving from simply providing basic shelter, to addressing both national and global needs. Compared to a decade ago, modern homes are not only a band-aid to accommodate a growing population, but they are also becoming a driving source and remedy to sustainability, energy efficiency, and community well-being. By ensuring that new homes are equipped to meet the challenges of the coming decades, we are laying the foundations for a more resilient and sustainable future.