New homes in England are facing criticism over mandatory, yet functionally useless, plastic chimneys installed to meet design regulations. Homeowners are protesting the added cost of approximately 1620 euros for these non-functional features. Simultaneously, housing construction is at a ten-year low, with only 2025 new homes built. This combination of increased costs and decreased supply is raising concerns about the UK housing market. The design requirements necessitate the chimneys even in homes without fireplaces. Experts suggest the regulations are contributing to affordability issues and hindering construction efforts. The situation highlights a conflict between aesthetic standards and practical housing needs.