OVER two thirds of people (64%) in Cornwall say the Covid pandemic has made them more likely to make big decisions in their lives in order to take back control, according to new research carried out by leading housebuilders Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes.

Added to this, 40% of respondents said time spent with life ‘on hold’ in 2020 has actually accelerated big life decisions such as moving house, getting married or divorced, starting a family or having more children, or starting a business.

Conducted in counties across the South West including Cornwall, the research sought to establish people’s greatest concerns about life and home planning as a result of the pandemic.

58% of people in Cornwall said not knowing when it would all be over was one of the greatest challenges and a third of respondents across the county found not being able to make long term plans one of the hardest things. 82% of people who said they struggled with not being able to make plans admitted to feeling frustrated and one in seven said it made them angry.

Despite the challenges, 61% of people in Cornwall said they had enjoyed more time at home in 2020, with nearly one in five saying they intended to continue spending more time there once the pandemic is over.

Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes are currently building a new community at Chapel Gate, Launceston and developments across the South West.

They say the surge in interest in buying a new home following the first lockdown last summer continued even into the usually quieter pre-Christmas period.

The five star builder saw 51% more people registering their interest in a development in the second half of 2020 (July to November) than in the same period the previous year.

Despite this, the new research found that only 19% of people in Cornwall said the pandemic has made them more likely to move house in the next year or more, compared to an average of 29% across the South West and as many as 39% in Bristol.

Nicki Reid, sales director for Barratt David Wilson Homes in Cornwall says: “The Covid pandemic restrictions seem to have made many people in Cornwall more likely to make life-changing decisions in an effort to take back some control. This is also borne out by what we’re seeing in our sales offices, with enquiries for new homes dramatically up on the previous year, even during times which are traditionally quieter for housebuilders.

“2020 was such a challenging year and it’s understandable that people are keen to be able to look forward to something more positive in their future. Our research shows that home has never felt so important, with the majority of people admitting they enjoyed more time at home last year, despite the restrictions. Our sales teams are here to help people take those first steps to exploring the possibility of a brand new home and we offer a range of support from the new Help to Buy scheme to part exchange to help make the process as easy as possible”.