Some 76% of the locations that the firms monitor in the UK saw positive market sentiment in the fourth quarter of 2013, up from 69% in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, the number of locations where price increases were recorded on closed deals increased sharply with 68% of green field locations in the fourth quarter against 31% in the previous quarter.
The survey also shows that land supply remains tight and this in turn is putting pressure on prices. The number of sites coming to market increased on only 19% of locations monitored and 71% recorded no change.
Greenfield development land prices grew by 3% in the final quarter of 2014, the highest rate of quarterly growth recorded since 2010 while the value of permissioned, green field land finished 2013 up 6.5%, with urban land values growing by 6.7% over the same period.
Land price growth continues to be led by the south east of England, where green field values increased by 5.8% in the fourth quarter and 8.1% between June and December. Well located sites in markets such as Oxford and Sevenoaks have already exceeded former peak values, while sites in other south east locations such as High Wycombe and Reading are approaching former highs.
Greenfield prices in the north of England were the second best performing in the quarter with growth of 2.3%. Marked land price rises were recorded in Durham, Leeds and Sheffield, with Help to Buy a catalyst for markets outside London and the south east.
The report also shows that some urban markets which have remained almost entirely dormant since 2008 are also seeing new signs of life. In Birmingham, where development has been flourishing in wealthy pockets such as Solihull, there are signs of renewed market interest in some Birmingham city centre sites as developers and investors plan for a wider housing market recovery, although deals remain some way off. Early market interest is also being observed in select Manchester city centre locations.
In London, a strong mainstream market and widespread demand from first time buyers presents opportunity in the lower and mid mainstream sector, with new build sales values under £700 per square foot. Central London land values exceeded their former peak in 2013. There is value to be unlocked on more marginal sites outside of core zone 1 & 2 locations.
Savills says that as the economic recovery becomes entrenched, confidence in larger and longer term development sites is building. The value of 30 acre permissioned sites increased by 7.5% in 2013 and were up 3.7% in the fourth quarter alone, compared to 5.8% and 6.4% for one and five acre sites, respectively.
Larger permissioned sites with capacity for up to 200 units have been targeted by house builders and developers looking to replenish their supply pipeline and the report adds that strategic land is also back in play, as investors, developers and financiers commit to the UK market recovery most notably in the stronger markets in which it is possible to sell quickly enough to generate a competitive return on capital.
Also, many such sites, stalled in the downturn, are entering a new phase of activity, with plans re-evaluated for the new market era.
The report also explains that the Government’s Right to Contest scheme launched in January and as a result some £330 billion of government land and property represents a huge potential pool of development sites. ‘This scheme will be driven by the public and therefore demand led. A convincing case for alternative use will need to be made, with viability at its core. Such sites should be well positioned to deliver new housing supply,’ said Paul Tostevin, residential research associate at Savills.
He also pointed out that the flagship Help to Buy has been pivotal for new homes markets outside of London and the south east, boosting sales rates. Since its launch in April 2013, the equity loan element of Help to Buy has supported 12,875 sales. Help to Buy Scotland, has had a positive market impact since its launch at the end of 2013, while Help to Buy Wales was launched in January. ‘These schemes will continue to support the new build market in 2014, and in turn demand for land,’ said Tostevin.
However, rapidly increasing output is putting pressure on build costs. The report says that material and skills shortages have been cited by builders as constraints on output but the biggest barrier to delivery remains the availability of viable land.
‘Renewed activity on strategic sites will pay dividends in the long term, but in the short term the availability of permissioned sites remains an issue,’ the report concludes.
