Paragon Bank’s development finance division has found in the 12 months to March 2024 that 107 local authorities recorded an increase in the number of new homes built.

In contrast, 241 local authorities saw a decline over this period.

Slough recorded the highest increase with 160 homes built in 2023/24, a 1500% increase from the preceding 12 month period.

Epping Forest and Hastings were next with growth rates of 629% and 300%, respectively, between these periods.

Luton, Norwich, Woking and Windsor and Maidenhead were also among the fastest growing local authorities. York was the only one of these authorities in the north.

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“It’s interesting to see that the fastest growing local authorities in the UK are places in close proximity to the capital, showing that London and areas within close reach are continuing to prove popular,” said Neal Moy, managing director at Paragon Bank Development Finance.

“However, in terms of the highest number of new homes built, cities and areas in the North and Midlands seem to be leading the charge, which demonstrates the growing popularity of some of the bustling cities in other parts of the UK.”

In contrast, more homes were built in 2023/24 than any other local authority with 2,280 new homes. However, this was down 14% from the preceding 12 months.

Leeds and Glasgow were the next most active local authorities in terms of volume with 2,200 and 2,130 new homes respectively.

Regionally, all regions and countries across theUK recorded a fall in the number of new homes completed at a local authority level.

London experienced the greatest decline, dropping by 30.2% to 14,620 new homes completed, followed by Scotland’s 30% drop to 19,650.

Other notable fallers were Wales (-17.8%), Northern Ireland (-15.7%) and the South East (-15.5%).