A new study by Property Buyers Today reveals the local authorities that recorded the highest rate of completed new builds in the UK between 2022 and 2025.
The study examined building completion rates in all local authorities across the UK between April 2022 and March 2025 and compared them to the 2024 population estimates of each local authority to determine the number of builds completed per 10,000 residents.
Midlothian saw the highest rate with 279 new buildings completed per 10,000 population. In total, 2,790 homes were completed compared to its population of 99,880. The report says that housing demand in the region is connected to its proximity with Edinburgh, as many choose to live near big cities rather than within them to lower costs of living.
Mid Suffolk ranked second, with 2,950 builds completed within the timeframe analysed, translating to 266 new houses per 10,000 population, based on a population of 110,775. The district’s strong performance reflects continued demand for housing in rural yet well-connected areas, with its mix of market towns and countryside locations making it an increasingly attractive option for buyers looking beyond larger urban centres.
Tewkesbury, in Gloucestershire, ranks third on the list, with 2,550 builds completed between 2022 and 2025, which translates to 250 builds per 10,000 population.
Out of the top 10 ranked for new builds completed per 10,000 population, South Cambridgeshire saw the highest number of completed builds with 4,120.
Saif Derzi, founder of Property Buyers Today, said: “What stood out is that Mid Suffolk, a largely rural district, is building at a rate that outpaces nearly every urban authority in the country. The area’s performance shows that when planning systems are responsive and development is aligned with local demand, even rural areas can play a leading role in tackling the UK’s housing shortage.”
