Energy efficiency has become a priority among British homeowners, one UK housebuilder has insisted.

Homes are now constructed in order to adhere to higher energy standards, with the industry aiming to develop houses to a carbon-neutral position by 2016, according to a Persimmon Homes representative.

Mike Farley, group chief executive of Persimmon Homes, noted that open-plan living and better internet connections are set to be priorities for houses in 40 years time.

"People are less formal these days, so people don’t necessarily need to see a separate lounge, dining room and kitchen area," he remarked.

The expert went on to say that open-plan layouts enable people to live in more modern and flexible ways.

A separate study by Persimmon Homes recently found that 33 per cent of people believe that they will live in eco communities in 40 years.

As well as this, 56 per cent estimate that people will enjoy super high tech lifestyles after the same period of time.