The deliverability and affordability of housing in the South West of England

Released On 15th Nov 2017

Our report on The Deliverability and Affordability of Housing in the South West of England has just been published. Three Dragons undertook the research in conjunction with Heriot Watt University and on behalf of the South West region Royal Town Planning Institute to investigate the impact of large-scale housing developments in the region and in particular to:

• increase understanding of the ways in which the housing market has and is changing; and as a consequence;
• assist with the adoption of more appropriate approaches to the delivery of housing that is genuinely more affordable.

The study found that large-scale developments, such as the case study sites, do not immediately lead to lower house prices, and new build sales in the case study sites tended to be priced somewhat above the median level for the housing market area in which they are found. Nevertheless, because of the increase in supply these strategic sites deliver, over the longer term (modelled to 2031) house price increases are slowed and affordability is improved. At the same time as the increase in supply has a positive impact on affordability, large-scale schemes also provide opportunities to deliver a steady flow of a relatively large amounts of affordable housing.

The report gives key messages to local authorities relating to good practice in delivering large-scale developments and identifies the role that government and other organisations can play in establishing guidance and facilitating knowledge networks.