Small developers can back Scotland’s housing goals with smart data

However, armed with smart property data insights, small developers can make data-driven decisions that can help improve planning, optimise investment and unlock funding to create homes across Scotland. 

In this article, we will look at the main housing goals that the Scottish government has outlined and how data can be used by small developers to achieve these goals.

What are Scotland’s main housing goals?

Scotland plans to deliver 100,000 affordable homes by 2032, with 70% available for social rent and 10% in rural, island and other remote communities. 

To achieve these ambitious housing goals, the Scottish government has published its ‘Housing to 2040’ vision, outlining their goals and how to achieve them. They focus on four main areas:

• More homes in targeted locations 
• Affordability and choice 
• Affordable warmth and zero-emission homes
• Improving the quality of all homes, old and new. 

With climate, location and affordability key focuses for housing, it is even more important than ever that developers and decision-makers are able to access and analyse smart data in order to make informed choices and evaluate impact. 

With more data available, it’s important to understand what data is available and how it can help achieve these housing goals.

How can data help small developers achieve Scotland’s housing goals?

Local infrastructure data for council collaboration

Data driven decisions to help ensure the infrastructure can support new developments. Working alongside local governments and councils to ensure the local area can keep up with the demands of increased occupation or 

When injecting investment into housing, it’s important to also consider the local infrastructure and its suitability for additional demand. Things like public transport, healthcare and schools in the local areas are all being impacted by housing developments, so it’s important to work with data to help understand what is achievable. 

Having this data can also streamline collaboration with local councils to ensure that proposals give a holistic view of impact on the local areas and services, or highlight early any gaps, allowing developers and councillors to work on a solution collaboratively.

Making informed site selections with location data

Analysing up and coming areas can help small investors and developers to identify new areas that are peaking in demand.

Analysing rental property data and comparing neighbourhoods can help identify opportunities to invest in unmodernised properties with the potential to add value to and provide improved living conditions for renters and buyers alike.  

Not only can data be used to pinpoint trending locations, it can also be used to look at what types of homes are in demand and demographic data of those searching. 

For example, the requirements of rural developments will be very different from the more affordable housing needed in urban city-centres. This can help developers to meet the needs and desires of those most likely to rent or buy new and renovated properties.

Evidence-based funding requests

Small developers may rely on investments or funding, in the form of grants and subsidies, to help unlock vital budgets to achieve their ambitious property developments. 

Data can help to provide key evidence for business plans and property proposals that demonstrate viability, making them more likely to be granted funding. 

Firstly, smart data can be used to understand and assess what funding options are available, eligibility guidelines and amount available to help pinpoint the most suitable for specific housing projects. 

Data can also be used to support the business case within these proposals, aligning project aims with overarching housing goals in the community or wider country, as well as providing evidence of demand or key housing trends. 

Finally, showcasing within a proposal how impact can be evaluated through data can help to ensure that the impact of the funding can be measured in relation to the pre-outlined goals.

Overall, data can be used throughout the funding processes to help developers to realise their development goals.

Improved planning processes

When looking for locations or land to build on, it can be useful to understand what projects have been permitted or denied in certain areas. 

Smart data can help to track what proposals have been submitted and their outcome and recognise patterns or trends when it comes to rejections and approvals in recent proposals. 

This can help developers to create proposals that are more likely to be accepted and improve the planning process, creating a more efficient development project. 

Achieve energy efficiency and net zero

A strong focus for Scottish housing initiatives are to create energy-efficient houses and achieve net zero. 

Housing data can be used to design energy-efficient homes, looking at homes that have a range of eco-friendly additions, such as solar panels and insulation, and analysing the impact of different materials on the energy efficiency.

This can help developers to make data-driven decisions on design, materials and features in order to create eco-homes. Choosing effective building materials and processes can ensure that the developments meet, or even exceed, the eco-credentials set by the government. 

In order to continuously improve and collect more data, it can be beneficial for developers to monitor the energy performance of their newly-completed developments to further improve their process in the future, and to stay abreast of new materials or trends in eco-homes.

Demonstrating and evaluating impact

Small developers can rely on data to make decisions, but it can also be used to evaluate the impact of their developments. This can be used when seeking funding, but can also help them to continuously strive for better, providing developments that serve the community 

Therefore, gathering data such as satisfaction, energy-efficiency and cost of maintenance or bills can help define the success of a project, and inform future proposals. Data can be used to demonstrate the positive impact of development and increase the chance of future projects or further investment.

Strategic future-proofing

Utilising smart data to continuously check, collect and analyse housing data to help developers stay ahead of trends and adapt their investment strategy in keeping with current market trends and the demands of home buyers or tenants. 

Through analysing insights, small developers can run their businesses in an agile fashion that will help improve their efficiency and help them to contribute to the housing goals in Scotland by building developments that are driven by data.

Final Thoughts

In order to keep up with the demanding goals of ‘Housing to 2024’ while navigating funding cuts and supply chain issues, small developers can leverage property data insights to make smart decisions. 

From analysing location demand, buyer or renter needs, energy-efficiency and infrastructure limitations, small developers can create homes that benefit everyone - developers, funders, those living in the properties, the surrounding communities and councils and the environment.