It seems that more people could be looking for options to add house extensions in Manchester and elsewhere around the country after a new survey by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) found people would prefer to have greater co-living options than see more construction on the green belt.

The most popular solution to the current housing crisis was cited as the construction of more co-living developments. 33 per cent of people said this would be useful. Meanwhile, 31 per cent believed building more micro-homes in urban areas is the way to go, with the same percentage also feeling that more granny flats would be beneficial.

If you have an elderly relative who is struggling on their own, you could look at extending your own property to provide them with living accommodation, or converting a building like a garage.

Chief executive of the FMB Brian Berry noted that the creation of more granny flats would “free up much-needed family homes, which are being under-used by older people living on their own”.

However, he stressed that even if the construction industry adopted these suggestions, there are still barriers to small, local house builders caused by a lack of suitable small sites and difficulties hiring specialist tradespeople.

Earlier this year, Inside Housing pointed out that “at the micro-level” granny flats appear to be growing in popularity and making something of a comeback.

The news provider suggested that this could be down to a number of factors, among which is the role grandparents are playing in childcare. “Where this works well, it brings three generations closer together,” the publication stated.