Characteristics of Housing Stock

6.22 Compared with England as a whole, dwellings in the South West are more likely to be larger, have 4 or more bedrooms, have larger floor space, more likely to be detached, with greater proportions in rural areas and less likely to be in a 'poor' neighbourhood. This greater proportion of larger houses is being reduced but has implications for the affordability of housing in the South West, as there continues to be a smaller proportion of 'entry level' housing available. The number of four bedroom units being built has decreased significantly in recent years, and smaller dwelling completions account for over 40% of the total new build in 2005/06.

Table 6.1 Dwelling Characteristics by Accommodation Type, Number of Bedrooms, Location and Average Floorspace - 2001
 

South West (%)

England (%)
Accommodation Type
Detached

31

22
Semi-detached

31

33
Terraced

25

27
Purpose built flat

7

13
Converted flat

4

4
Number of bedrooms
One or two *

36

36
Three *

44

46
Four or more *

20

18
Location
Dwellings in urban and suburban areas

69 *

79
Dwellings in 'poor' neighbourhoods

8 *

21
All dwellings (thousands)

2,296 *

21,804
Note: Occupied dwellings only, * - 2001 figures
Source i: DCLG and English Housing Conditions Survey 2006.

Source ii: English Housing Conditions Survey Regional summary 2003. i.e. the data sourced in this regional summary is from 2001)

    6.23 Lifetime Homes - These are generally considered to be more sustainable in that the need for costly retro-fitted adaptations is reduced as a household ages or experiences life-style changes. Similarly, a good design within new social sector stock can prevent the need for a household to move to housing better suited to changing physical abilities. It is anticipated that demand for this type of stock will increase as the population of the South West continue to age. For more information: Joseph Rowntree Foundation