New official figures show family households remain the dominant household type in the UK, as changing lifestyles continue to reshape what buyers want from a home.
The latest Office for National Statistics data reveals there are now 29 million households across the UK, an increase of 7.2% over the past decade, with 19.9 million families nationwide, up 6.1% since 2015. Family households continue to account for the majority of homes, making up 66.8% of all households.
But while family life remains central to the UK’s housing picture, expectations of what makes a suitable family home appear to be evolving, with practical considerations such as parking, energy efficiency, access to outdoor space and a sense of community increasingly shaping buyers’ decisions.
That was certainly the experience of Wiltshire buyer Ellie Mayes, whose search for a family home near Devizes took a different path when she became a parent for the first time.
“We were living in the centre of Devizes in a Georgian terrace,” she explains. “We wanted our next home to be an older, characterful property but with more space and crucially, parking. Parking is so important with a young baby.”
Initially, the couple were set on staying in the town, but a visit to a Newland Homes’ development in Worton changed their minds. “We were really anti new builds, but the showhome had such a gorgeous feeling. When we saw the views across the surrounding fields, it made us reconsider everything.”
The couple moved into their new home at Kempster’s Reach last year and, according to Ellie, have found exactly the sort of family-friendly environment they hadn’t realised they were looking for.
“I love the idea that my son will be able to play in the fields with other local kids when he’s older or play out in the cul-de-sac like I used to do as a child. I didn’t think we could ever have that. There’s a small yet strong local community and it feels safe, friendly and connected. That’s really special.”
Marcus Evans, Sales and Marketing Director at Newland Homes, said: “The latest ONS figures underline that family life has a huge influence on housing choices. For many buyers, priorities shift as life changes. Kempster’s Reach has proven particularly popular with buyers looking for that balance. It has a countryside setting with a strong community feel, but it remains well connected to nearby towns and amenities.”
Although sustainability was not initially the driving factor behind the move, Ellie says it has become one of the unexpected benefits of their new home. Kempster’s Reach is a development of zero carbon homes designed for modern living, combining energy-efficient design with village surroundings and easy access to Devizes, Melksham and beyond.
Thanks to cutting-edge renewable technologies including solar panels, air source heat pumps, and advanced insulation systems, the homes create as much prime energy as they need.
“I read a Guardian article about sustainable homes and realised it listed everything our new home had,” Ellie says. “It’s super warm, a world away from the damp older properties we were used to, very efficient and our energy bills are low.”
A selection of three, four and five bedroom homes are available at Kempster’s Reach, starting from £525,000. The five-bedroom detached Prestleigh interior-designed showhome has just been released for sale with many extras included. Tailor-made appointments are available daily, from 11am to 5pm, at Newland Homes at Kempster’s Reach. Please call 01380 590079 to book. Visit www.newlandhomes.co.uk/worton or follow @newlandhomes on socials for more information.
