Homes crisis as roof caves in on new bungalows
FEWER bungalows than ever are being built, despite soaring numbers of pensioners.
They accounted for just 670 of the 33,573 homes built between July and September this year.
Yesterday builders called on the Government and local planners to reintroduce “planning covenants” meaning only bungalows can be built on certain plots of land.
Property experts say building more bungalows – dubbed “Britain’s favourite home” in a survey by mortgage lender Halifax – could help solve the country’s housing crisis by persuading older people to downsize to them, freeing up more family homes.
Richard Tamayo of the National House- Building Council said: “I hope we are not seeing the death of the bungalow because there are real issues surrounding the housing of an ageing population. There may be a case for the bringing back of planning covenants.” Britain’s elderly population is steadily rising and there are more 65- yearolds now than at any point in history.
Figures out today from the Office for National Statistics will show life expectancy for those who reach 65 is also rising. For men it is now 83.3, up from 78 in 1980- 82, while women can expect to reach 86, up from 82.
Housing Minister Kris Hopkins said: “With over- 65s expected to make up half the population by 2021, it’s clear we need to build homes that meet the needs of older people.
“Our new planning guidance makes crystal clear the need for councils to plan ahead, which could include more bungalows.”
The word “bungalow” is Indian. The style was brought to Britain in the days of Empire, with the first being erected by a Colonel Bragg in Norwood, London, in the 1860s.