The first of many approvals, hopefully…..

The first of anything is always significant. First words, first steps, first love, first job, first car, etc. So the first approval secured by CTP for its first project surely deserves a mention. It was, in the grand scheme of things, nothing major, but it was important for the client - Bastion Heritage - the scheme and future occupiers of the four new homes to be built at the rear of Clickers Yard, Yardley Road, Olney. It was an approval for the use of the attic space of the dwellings as home office space and a gym area lit by roof lights. This was precipitated by Covid-19, the need or desire for people to work from home, travel less and use their homes for exercise, to stay fit and maintain their health and well-being during lockdown.

Research from Rightmove.co.uk demonstrates how people’s home/work needs have shifted. Half of the people surveyed (49%) said they were currently working from home. Of those, one in five (21%) said they would like to work from home permanently and 55% said they would like to work from home more, but still occasionally go into work. Covid-19 has highlighted the need for house-builders to pay special attention to the layouts of their new homes. For the past two decades open plan living has been preferred but with the rise in home working the ability to close a door to secure some peace and quiet is a must. Lockdown has also meant our homes are now spaces where we need to work, home school, exercise, play and relax and as a result there is a need to deliver more flexible floor plates, optimise available space and consider possible multiple uses of spaces throughout the day.

All important lessons coming out of the pandemic, affecting people’s daily lives and the homes that developers bring to the market. So maybe it is even more important than I first thought?