Who’d have guessed a year ago that 12 months down the line the type of property which has gained most in the popularity stakes is….[drum roll]….a granny annexe.

The effect of coronavirus on family life has revealed the hitherto unrealised value of separate self-contained accommodation within the overall living area.

The extra space is a godsend not only as a home en famille for the older generation but as a work complex for their younger relatives.

How would granny feel about granting family members a time share in her annexe.

She’d probably jump at it.

Since lockdown restrictions have been lifted, her private domain has become a commercial hot property.

For a few hours a day, one of her rooms could be dual purpose.

It might have the potential to be hived off as an office for younger generations in the household.

Estate agents say properties with a studio flat or self-contained accommodation are suddenly top of the pops for families.

The topic is the theme of the latest blog from Nick Pounce, head of residential sales at Savills’ office in Amersham.

He says inquires for properties with a granny annexe “have risen significantly.”

“Ancillary accommodation is now about much more than simply keeping a watchful eye on elderly relatives,” he reports.

“Recent experiences have encouraged many people to reassess what they want from their homes and properties.

“A traditional annexe is an integral yet fully self-contained part of the same property with its own kitchen and bathroom together with a separate entrance allowing occupants to come and go as they please without disturbing the rest of the house.

“However the term “annexe” is also increasingly used to describe additional space in a completely different building such as a room converted above a detached garage or outbuilding.”

The agent says there’s always been a good market for houses with potential for several generations to live together at the same address “especially for families with grown up children returning from university who want greater independence while saving for their own place.”

The recent switch to working from home for at least part of the week has further widened the appeal of “somewhere separate to lock yourself away from the main house without having to create a makeshift space in an extra bedroom or dining room.”

Subject to planning consent an annexe can provide not just an office but a consultation room, therapy studio, all sorts. “Should it no longer be needed as an office it can be converted into a gym or rented out either as a holiday let or on a longer term basis to bring in extra income.

“If all else fails it can be re-incorporated back into the main house. adding further to the square footage. There’s flexibility in this arrangement.”

Pictured is a converted windmill in the half acre garden of a four bedroom detached house in Fulmer.

The windmill is thought to date from the 1800s.

An original painting of it by the Lincolnshire artist Karl Wood is part of a permanent collection at the Usher Gallery in Lincoln.

The interior of the windmill is in the final stages of being renovated.

The open plan ground floor incorporates a kitchen and living space with a wood burner fireplace and windows on three sides.

Upstairs is another room (bedroom/home office, reception room: the future owner can decide). There’s also a new shower room on this level and a further flight of stairs up to a roof terrace.

The windmill and the four bedroom house that goes with it are for sale through Knight Frank in Beaconsfield for £2m.

Another property with appeal for buyers looking for a property with a feature in the garden considerably more interesting than a garden gnome is a four bedroom bungalow in Lower Road, Denham with an authentic pub in the grounds.

The pub has working draft pumps at the bar and an illuminated outside seating area with pub chairs and tables on a heated deck – the outside furniture is included in the price.

Bungalow and hostelry are for sale as one lot through Yopa.

Find the local agent on the web.

Tap in https://www@yopa.co.uk/properties/details/202968.

More news this week:

Home prices are looking increasingly fragile in the southern regions due to the deluge of new listings over recent months, according to Home.co.uk’s Asking Price Index for October.

“ Persistent oversupply post-lockdown has triggered asking price corrections in the South West and the South East this month.

Perhaps surprisingly, London prices managed to nudge up 0.1% since last month despite an overwhelming flood of new inventory (up 87 per cent, Sept vs. Sept 2019).

This suggests that, for the time being, most vendors are hopeful rather than realistic. However, not all sellers are in denial about the current state of oversupply as indicated by the number of properties on the market with slashed prices; this has risen to a 16-month high during the month of September.”