• Stratford-on-Avon comes in first place with 283.9 new builds completed per 10,000 population.
• South Derbyshire takes second place with 277.6 new builds.
• Mid Suffolk is third.

A new study by 24housing.co.uk reveals that Stratford-on-Avon had the most completed new builds in the UK from 2020 to 2023.

The study examined building completion rates in various local authorities across the UK between 2020 and 2023 and compared them to the population of each local authority to determine the number of builds completed per 10,000 people.

Stratford-on-Avon takes first place with 283.9 new buildings completed per 10,000 population, reflecting a concerted effort to meet the growing demands of its populace. The total number is 3,860 houses compared to its population of 135,964. This picturesque locale, renowned for its historic charm and cultural significance, comprises the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, globally famous for its association with William Shakespeare, which makes it a popular location for tourists and, given the surge in builds, also among people who want to relocate and buy a house in the area.

Second is South Derbyshire, which follows closely behind, with 3,000 builds completed, translating to 277.6 new houses per 10,000 population. The region’s strategic location and robust economic infrastructure contribute to its attractiveness for developers and residents.

Mid Suffolk has demonstrated a commendable commitment to urban development, ranking third on the list, with 2,670 builds completed between 2020 and 2023. This accomplishment translates to 258.2 builds per 10,000 population, showcasing the region’s proactive approach to addressing housing demands while maintaining its distinct rural character.

Further down on the list, Harborough is fourth, with 2,530 completed builds over the same period. With a rate of 257.4 builds per 10,000 population, the region exemplifies a balance between urban expansion and environmental stewardship.

The top five closes with Midlothian with 251.4 new builds completed per 10,000 population, which reflects its strategic positioning within the Greater Edinburgh area and its role as an economic hub in Scotland.

Gill Broad, Senior Editor at 24housing.co.uk, commented on the findings: “The data underscores the importance of proactive urban planning and collaboration between public and private sectors in addressing housing shortages and fostering inclusive growth. Local authorities play a pivotal role in shaping the built environment and enhancing the quality of life for residents.

“While the reasons behind the disparities in building completion rates among local authorities are multifaceted, factors such as land availability, infrastructure investment, and demographic trends contribute to the patterns.”

Orlando Reid is setting the tone this year for marketing co-living inspired developments with the launch of Lofthaus in central Preston on the 12^th January.  The city has been proclaimed the number one place to live and work in the Northwest by PwC; in 2023, Money Supermarket ranked Preston first as the best place to raise a family, and it is deemed the top city for entrepreneurship in the Northwest. 

Cheshire family-owned development company, Belgravia are very at home in this vibrant region and in touch with what buyers and investors want – driving the initiative of creating community inspired co-living developments for people of all ages, who want an affordable flexible home and a more connected lifestyle with a broad choice of amenities, managed services and first-class technology under one shared roof.

Construction of Lofthaus is scheduled to begin in April and will be one of Belgravia’s most dynamic developments, designed by David Cox Architects to reflect the dramatic local landscape.  It will be the tallest residential building with 22 storeys centrally located in the city’s Market Quarter and University Gateway, dramatically mirroring the local landscape’s terrain and form.  Lofthaus will offer 307 apartments from studios to one- and two-bedroom flats and penthouses.  Studios start at around £99,950 and the most expensive corner penthouse with two bedrooms is available for £435,050. Construction is planned over 18 months and due for completion in Q4 2025.

Preston’s accessibility via road and rail has helped to put it on the property investor’s map. The city is intersected by four motorways – M6, M61, M55, M65.  It takes just 40 minutes by car to get to Manchester and Liverpool with rail services taking around 35 minutes.  London and Glasgow are on direct train lines taking two hours. For breathtaking scenery and country escapes, The Yorkshire Dales and Lake District are just 45 minutes’ drive away.

Baljit Arora, Managing director at Orlando Reid commented: “Lofthaus will be catering to the escalating demand for co-living spaces in Preston as a place-making community destination in one of the most exciting areas of the city.”

In the last 12 months, Preston has seen property prices increase by 21% according to Zoopla, Dataloft and Land Registry.  It’s modern university UCLAN has been ranked top in the Northwest for five consecutive years, and similarly for five years, The Times has named it best for the student experience – it has a student and university staff population of 60,000.  Currently, UCLAN is in the 6% of the world’s best universities. 

Belgravia’s Chris Newell said: ”Lofthaus reflects the type of development that has long been a successful residential model in the Far East and other major cosmopolitan cities. This is now gaining traction in the UK as millennials, professionals and students embrace a vibrant community lifestyle in a space that can flexibly respond to their changing needs.”

 www.orlandoreid.co.uk