SCOTTISH housebuilder Muir Homes has announced it is ‘pivoting’ new developments towards providing more bungalows, in the face of changing demographics.
In recent times, the firm said most builders 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 a new development in Stanley in Perthshire. The Deer Pines site will have two different bungalow house types, with two-bed and three-bed semi detached options available. More than a fifth of the development will be one-storey.
With its own forest, wildflower meadows, and air source heat pumps, the Deer Pines development will also have a keen focus on the environment.
The change comes as National Records for Scotland reported there are now more people aged 65 and over than people under 15 in the country.
Martin Smith, chief executive of Muir Group, explained, “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.”
