The quiet little village that's become the UK's new build capital

A small UK village has been named the 'UK's new build capital' according to research. The building of new houses is one of the central pledges made by the Labour Government in their election manifesto, with a commitment to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029.

Thus far, it is believed that the Government has managed to build around 200,000 homes since coming to power, 100,000 short of the average number required per year to meet their target. New Housing Secretary Steve Reed said last week that he remains optimistic about the Government's chances of meeting their target, insisting that his goal was to "build baby build," a nod to Donald Trump's pledge on drilling for oil. New research developed by the buy-to-let insurance experts at Alan Boswell Group shows the UK towns and villages that have led the way in developing new housing, with the new build capital likely to surprise many.

Banwell, a small village in Somerset, leads the way with 180 new build sales in 2023-24, providing food for thought for the department for housing as they plot their way to building much-needed housing.

New builds accounted for more than 65% of overall house sales, the highest proportion of any UK location, making Banwell a modern housing hotspot.

The town, which can trace its roots back to the Bronze Age, has a population of just over 3,000 but saw 275 house transactions in the year 2023/24.

Swanscombe in Kent, found itself in second, with the small town also experiencing a construction boom.

Analysts who produced the research said: "Thanks to its proximity to London and lower property prices, Swanscombe offers a realistic alternative for those seeking a new build lifestyle near the capital without the hefty city price tag, making it ideal for both first-time buyers and landlords seeking rental demand near the commuter belt."

The historic, medieval town of Arundel came in third, with 359 new builds sold out of 766 total transactions, representing a 46.87% new build share.

Heath Alexander-Bew, on behalf of the buy-to-let insurance experts at Alan Boswell Group, said: "The UK's housing demand remains intense, especially in large cities where new build construction often can't keep up with population growth.

"However, this data clearly shows that regional development hotspots, even in smaller towns like Banwell or Swanscombe, are filling that gap.

"For buyers, especially families or first-time homeowners, these areas represent opportunities to secure modern, energy-efficient homes in growing communities.

"The proportion of buyers moving into detached homes has grown from 25% to 32% over the past decade, highlighting a steady shift in preference toward more spacious living. In our study, detached properties made up 13.87% of all new build sales between 2023 and 2025, underlining their continued appeal."