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Ben Luxton, Development Land Specialist, comments:
The Stags Development Land team, which operate across the West Country, are seeing an unprecedented convergence of opportunity and challenge in our region’s development land market.
Many are aware of the sustained demand for housing, fuelled by lifestyle change, inward migration, and the enduring appeal of life in the South West of England. On the other hand, planning reform, build costs, environmental protections and shifting market sentiment are reshaping how land comes forward for development.
Recent updates to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) have increased the number of new dwellings that local authorities are required to deliver, but at the same time have placed greater emphasis on design quality and environmental mitigation. Across the South West, this is particularly relevant. Our landscapes are unique, and local authorities are under pressure to deliver growth without compromising character. This means that well-prepared development schemes, backed by clear technical evidence and a robust planning strategy, are more likely to succeed.
We’re experiencing interest from developers of all sizes in edge-of-settlement parcels that can deliver high-quality schemes in keeping with village or town context. For landowners, this opens possibilities to investigate whether land that has sat in agricultural use for generations may hold significant latent value if approached correctly. The key is timing and preparation. In the current climate, there is a genuine opportunity to take advantage of the preferential planning policy position and drive for additional housing. We anticipate this window will narrow as local planning authorities catch up their five year housing supply, or in the event of a change in the political direction towards housing growth.
One of the greatest advantages that Stags offer landowners is the strength of our fully integrated service. This joined-up approach means that Stags can investigate the market in detail and shape proposals that are not only policy-compliant and deliverable through planning, but are also commercially viable and marketable once built. By combining these disciplines, we help landowners maximise value, minimise risk, and create developments that work.
The West Country’s future housing delivery will require a careful balance between economic need and environmental stewardship. For those with suitable land, there is an opportunity to explore options now, as the planning landscape evolves and the demand for housing growth remains strong. Please contact the Stags Development Land team on 01392 286949 or using [email protected] for a free, no obligation discussion.
