Net additional dwellings in the Greater West of England, 2001-2025

28 Jul 2026

This data insight describes trends in housing supply and delivery in the Greater West of England, defined here as Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire. It focuses on indicators of housing availability, delivery performance and potential capacity within the existing housing system.

The analysis draws on official administrative and survey-based data published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), sourced primarily from dwelling stock estimates, housing supply statistics and local authority housing returns. Data are collected annually and aggregated at local authority level, with bespoke geographies created where required.

To support contextual interpretation, selected indicators are benchmarked against national comparators, including England and England excluding London.

7.3%

Higher net additional dwellings in the Greater West of England in 2015-25 than 2005-15

~ 89%

Net additional dwellings in the Greater West of England are delivered through new build

+49pp

Housing delivery rate increase in both Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire between 2005-15 and 2015-25

-52.7%

Cotswold has the highest demolitions rate

Net additions, Greater West of England by local authority area, 2001-02 onwards

This visualisation shows how net additional dwellings have changed over time across the Greater West of England, highlighting long-term trends, fluctuations and the relative contribution of each local authority to the overall net additions.

Net additional dwellings across the Greater West of England display a cyclical pattern with 2007/08 recording the highest level of additions (13,245 dwellings) and 2010/11 recording the lowest (7,535 dwellings).

Gloucestershire and Wiltshire consistently contribute the largest share of net additions to the region, followed by Bristol. The smaller authority areas of Bath and North East Somerset, and North Somerset contribute lower absolute levels to overall net additions.

Rate of net additions, Greater West of England local authority area, national comparisons, 2001-02 onwards

This visualisation shows how the rate of net additional dwellings per 1,000 dwellings has changed over time across England, England excluding London and the local authorities in the Greater West of England.

All three regions follow a similar cyclical pattern with rates rising in the early-to-mid 2000s, falling sharply after 2007-08, and recovering through the mid-to-late 2010s.

The Greater West of England consistently records higher rates than both national comparators, peaking at around 13 net additions per 1,000 dwellings in 2007-08, compared with approximately 10 in both England and England excluding London.

All three regions record their lowest net additions in 2012-13 with the Greater West of England maintaining a higher rate of net additions relative to both national comparators.

From 2014-15 onwards, rates increased across all regions, with the Greater West of England leading at around 11-12 per 1,000 dwellings in 2017-18, versus around 9-10 nationally.

In more recent years, rates in all three regions have converged, declining to around 8 per 1,000 dwellings by 2024-25.

Rate of net additions, Greater West of England local authorities, 2005-15 and 2015-25

This visualisation shows how the rate of net additional dwellings per 1,000 dwellings has changed between the two periods 2005-2015 and 2015-2025. Data are shown for England, England excluding London and the Greater West of England.

Between 2005-2015 and 2015-2025, net additional dwellings in England increased from 77.58 to 95.89 per 1,000 dwellings. England excluding London rose from 75.31 to 93.51, indicating higher delivery rates in the more recent period.

The Greater West of England outperformed both national comparators in both periods, increasing from 98.51 to 105.68 per 1,000 dwellings.

Within the Greater West of England local authorities, South Gloucestershire shows the largest relative change, rising from 87.13 to 136.15, and also has the highest rate among the authorities in 2015-2025. Bath and North East Somerset follows closely, rising from 55.68 to 104.32.

By contrast, Bristol and Swindon show a reduction over time, falling from 110.9 and 138.66 to 82.73 and 104.64 respectively, indicating a lower delivery rate in the most recent decade.

Net additions by component flow (%), Greater West of England local authorities, 2024-25

This visualisation shows the composition of net additional dwellings by component (new builds, conversions, change of use, other gains/losses and offset by demolitions) across England, England excluding London, the Greater West of England.

In all regions, new build is the dominant component, accounting for 91.37% of net additions in England, 92.08% in England excluding London and 89.19% in the Greater West of England.

Reliance on new build within the Greater West of England varies from 79.9% in Wiltshire to 94.98% in South Gloucestershire,

Net change of use plays a larger role in urban authorities, contributing 11.55% in Bath and North East Somerset and 17.08% in Bristol, compared with around 8-9% nationally.

Net conversions are a relatively small and variable component, ranging from -0.56% in Swindon to 4.59% in Wiltshire, with Bath and North East Somerset also recording a small negative contribution (-0.21%).

Demolitions consistently reduce net additions across all areas, ranging from -0.34% in Swindon to -5.17% in Wiltshire and -2.22% in England.

Overall, the visual highlights that while new builds underpin housing growth, the balance between change of use, conversions and losses differs between the national, regional and local authority levels.