Who holds strongest position to kickstart UK housebuilding?

Housebuilder Berkeley Group is currently sitting on land worth the most among the UK’s major housebuilders, latest research from Searchland, the development site sourcing specialists, has revealed.

Searchland analysed the land plots currently owned by the nation’s biggest housebuilders, calculating how their supply of land has shifted between 2021 and 2022 and how much they’re worth.

Largest pipeline market value

Berkeley is in the lead with £32.47 billion of land, far outstripping its nearest rival Taylor Wimpey, which has £29.16 billion.

Behind them are two other major house builders in Barratt (£24.29 billion) and Persimmon (£23.73 billion).

Developers on the up

Kent-based group Vistry has grown its supply of land more than any other major developer, increasing plot volumes by 19.6% between 2021 and 2022 to reach 37,084.

After Vistry comes Berkeley, with a 4.6% rise to 66,163, as well as Bellway, with a 4.6% rise but with a lower total of 32,344.

Following them is Barratt, with an increase of 4.2% to reach a hefty 80,926 plots.

Supply of land has been flat or negative for the rest, with Taylor Wimpey seeing a reduction (-3.0%), though it still manages a huge 82,830 plots.

Land volumes – familiar names

Despite Berkeley having the most valuable pipeline overall, it only has the fourth highest number of plots, likely reflecting that it holds more high-priced land in London and the South of England than its rivals.

Persimmon has the highest number of plots, at 87,190, followed by Taylor Wimpey (82,830) and Barratt (80,926) – all established players in the market.

Co-founder and CEO of Searchland, Mitchell Fasanya, commented:

“Having plentiful and profitable land available effectively sets the roadmap for the year ahead, indicating that Berkeley is in a strong position to outperform the competition.

“However Vistry is clearly a housebuilder that’s showing ambition, having grown its stock of land far more than any other developer in a single year – if that trend continues the builder will start competing with the bigger names like Barratt and Persimmon in the years ahead.

“It’s crucial for the UK to have strong and healthy competition amongst major housebuilders given that supply has become such a talking point in and out of government. While one or two names may top the table in terms of the sheer volume of their pipeline, it’s great to see there is competition amongst the big housebuilders when it comes to the total value and growth of their supply of land.”