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Government wants to encourage smaller builders back into to UK housebuilding

New Build Homes, what does the rest of 2022 hold in store?

This was the highest figure in over 20 years and a 4% rise against the preceding quarter.

In the same period, work also began on a further 46,010 new-build properties, the highest number in nearly 15 years.

Sounds promising?

It’s still not enough to meet the government’s target of building 300,000 new homes per year.

It’s a target that’s never been met. One strategy to boost building figures is a new £2bn investment in bringing brownfield land back into use for housing and related infrastructure. The main aim of this is to regenerate underutilised land, which the government claims will bring forward 160,000 new homes. Housing secretary Michael Gove announced plans to kickstart housebuilding for 2022, including encouraging the smaller builders who have been disappearing from the market over the past decades. In the 1980s, almost 40% of new homes were built by smaller developers and that figure is now only around 10%, due mostly to onerous regulations that favour larger housebuilders.

New building regulations for 2022 focus on preventing energy loss and overheating as part of the drive towards fuel efficiency and, ultimately, the phasing out of gas boilers. As of the beginning of 2022, it’s also now compulsory to install electric vehicle chargers in all new-build homes. This contributes to the ongoing high specification shown in modern new build homes, which are now more sustainable, comfortable and efficient than ever before. 

Architecturally, new build homes are looking more attractive than in recent years and there’s a clear trend for smaller developments featuring stylish detached houses.

With housebuilding in 2022 looking set to continue to these high standards, many people who might not have considered buying a new build in the past are likely to be converted. After all, who doesn’t want a comfortably, energy-efficient and well-designed home? As Adam Stackhouse, head of investments and commercial developments at Winkworth explains: “If you are looking for hassle-free, eco-conscious living with the added pleasure of outstanding sound insulation and highly specified, brand-new internal fittings, all wrapped up in cast-iron guarantees, then a new build is for you.” 

Article adapted from news story on Winkworth.co.uk – New Build Homes, what does 2022 hold? Published Jan 10th 2022