There is a misperception about special housing being cheap and low quality that must be shaken, Tauranga's Classic Builders director Peter Cooney says.
"With councils fast tracking rezoning of land through the Government's Special Housing Accord, builders and developers are tending to build or develop slightly smaller lots, which obviously affects the total end price of the package. But the quality is not compromised at all," Mr Cooney said.
"What is happening, in fact, is that housing quality is being improved in some areas. It's just the size of the dwelling and the size of the site is smaller, that's all."
Houses in this age were designed to be much more functional compared to previous years, where living areas were once separated, he said.
"You've got your kitchen, dining, and living areas open planned these days, and there is consumer demand for this type of open plan living rather than a lot of separate living areas. So, house designs have improved and couples and families are finding they can function very well in a smaller house just as easily compared to a much larger house."
According to Mr Cooney, the Special Housing Accord was not there for the purposes of creating cheap housing areas or areas where there would be inferior quality of housing.
"Rather, it is helping free up land at a quicker rate, which enables more houses to be built and drives more competition. The benefits are twofold; this approach helps drive down the price of land and enables and puts some restrictions on those areas where they want to see more affordable homes being built and to achieve that," he said.
There is increasingly a market trend where people are accepting living on smaller sites especially in areas that are close to infrastructure.
Mr Cooney said it was very common to see that type of housing in places like Melbourne and Sydney, and we were starting to see the trend coming to New Zealand, and people were embracing it.
Classic Builders was developing in Judea, Tauranga.
"The area of land in Waihi Road is an infill site that's being utilised to its fullest potential. This particular site has been intensified to satisfy the demand for quality homes at an affordable level," he said.