Bristol continues to lead the way in residential development, with over 1,700 new homes completed in the 2024/25 financial year—the highest annual total in three years—even as national housing completions fell by 6%.

The latest residential development survey shows 18,529 homes had planning permission as of 31 March 2025, an increase of more than 2,500 compared with the previous year. Of these, around 5,400 homes are currently under construction, marking the highest level since 2006.

Since 2011, the number of homes with planning approval in Bristol has risen by more than 10,000, with most development focused on previously used brownfield land. Between April 2020 and March 2025, over 93% of new homes were built on former industrial or otherwise underused sites, supporting regeneration while protecting green spaces.

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Affordable housing also saw a boost, with 286 homes completed between April and September 2025, compared with 176 in the same period in 2024. One example of this focus is One Lockleaze in North Bristol, where the council’s housing company, Goram Homes, is partnering with Vistry Group to transform a former brownfield site into 268 homes, with over half allocated for social and shared ownership.

Councillor Andrew Brown, Chair of the Economy and Skills Committee, said: "These figures show a strong pipeline of homes and continued progress in bringing previously used land across the city back into productive use. This is important for regeneration and sustainability and gives us a clearer picture of where homes could be built in the future. We know there is still a long way to go, especially in providing enough affordable homes, and we will keep working with partners through our planning policies, and emerging Local Plan, to meet that need."

Since 2006, Bristol has delivered more than 33,500 new homes, exceeding targets set in the current Local Plan. Future development will continue to focus on building the right homes in the right locations, supported by schools, parks, transport links, and other essential infrastructure.