PROPERTY experts from North Yorkshire today predicted a surge in demand for new build as both buyers and sellers battle to get to grips with the imminent launch of Home Information Packs (HIPs).

The documents showing that homes are in a sell-worthy state, including being energy-efficient, will be compulsory from June 1.

Avenir Properties and Opel Construction are warning that the growing confusion and cynicism surrounding HIPs will trigger a move away from old houses with energy concerns - and a definite shift towards newly-developed homes.

The two Harrogate-based companies have worked together on a range of award-winning residential developments across Yorkshire, leading the renaissance towards suburban living through a £100 million portfolio of properties across Harrogate, Ripon, Leeds, Wakefield and Huddersfield.

Andrew Carnell, founder and managing director of Avenir, said: "HIPs signal the biggest shake-up to the property market for a generation - but represent a nervous leap into the unknown for buyers and sellers from June 1.

"Social and peer pressure means that wasting energy is now the new smoking - and buyers and sellers will want a good score on this given that it is the key part of the HIP" He added: "The one winner amid all this uncertainty in the marketplace will be newly-built properties."

Developers behind the growing number of new-build homes in Yorkshire have long had to meet strict "green" criteria as part of planning and building regulations.

Martin Hall, managing director of Opel Construction, said the properties it had created were already at the forefront of energy efficiency, meeting a range of targets and criteria including thermal, acoustic and air test capabilities.

He said: "Ensuring the eco-efficiency of walls, roofs, floors, windows, heating systems, hot water systems and lighting are already an integral part of the design and build of new homes."