The South West will have the strongest housing market growth over the next few years, according to industry predictions. Residential property in the region is set to increase value by 4.3% by 2022 according to analysis of figures from Nationwide and the ONS by KPMG.

Developer Generator South West have identified Bristol and its surrounding areas as a region with all the factors for a robust property market and are focusing on it for the growth of their business. The company, which was the corporate sponsor of our West of England Economic Growth Conference last year, have already been successful within the region – with the Floating Harbour project which is set to create 50 new apartments and penthouses already being 90% sold.

Their next project is ‘The Chocolate Factory’ in Greenbank, where detailed planning consent was secured last year. The site will see 135 new homes, commercial units and community areas being created which will transform the area into a thriving mixed-use site.

Mark Peace, Development Director at Generator South West, is leading the drive for new opportunities in the region and he’ll be responsible for existing as well as new projects in the area. He said: ”The South West is a hugely desirable region to live – Bristol is repeatedly voted one of the best places to live and scores highly on jobs, culture, entertainment and access to the countryside and coast. A strong local economy and inward investment is attracting people to move here and the demand for high quality new housing is only going to continue to grow.

”What the region really needs is experienced developers that know the city and its administration, to help regenerate the stock of redundant, brownfield sites in and around Bristol city centre. The creation of new mixed-use schemes will continue to bring economic benefit to the region as a whole. Given these market conditions, Generator is increasing its investment in Bristol and the South West corridor significantly this year.”

The delivery of new homes is a top priority for government at a local and national level – something emphasised recently by regional Mayor Tim Bowles and other leading figures in the region. Developers that have a track record in the region will be key to bringing more sites forward through the planning system to really lead on new housing developments.

Housing will once again be a key focus of the West of England Economic Growth Conference 2018 – where we’ll discuss key topics such as infrastructure, devolution, strategy and more.