EXMOOR NATIONAL PARK
ANNUAL HOUSE PRICE SURVEY 2006
The results of the Exmoor National Park Authority’s ninth annual House Price Survey reveal that the mean average house price on Exmoor now stands at £366,159, compared with £356,379 last year. This is an increase of 2.7% which is less than national and regional house price increases. The median average house price (which limits the distorting effect of a few extremely expensive houses) is £314,000.
Although the rate of growth continues to slow, significant price rises on Exmoor in recent years mean that the average house price for Exmoor is 78% higher than the average house price in the South West (£207,768) and 84% higher than the average house price in England and Wales (£199,184).
The differential between these prices and local incomes is among the widest in the country. The mean average house price (£366,159) is over 14 times the local average household income (mean) of £26,000. Although some areas have even higher house prices than Exmoor, few of these would combine this with such low local incomes. Even houses at the lower end of the market are beyond the reach of many locals. The lower quartile (cheapest quarter) of local houses averaging (mean) at £174,913, which is 6.7 times the mean local household income.
Affordable housing remains a key issue within Exmoor National Park. Recent Local Plan Housing policies adopted by the National Park Authority ensure that all new-build housing is for local people who live or work locally only, and is sold or rented at affordable or below market prices. Since the Local Plan was adopted in March 2005 approval (full and outline) has been given for 18 affordable dwellings to be built. These are, however, unlikely ever to replace the number of former council and housing association homes lost to the local affordable housing market under the ‘Right to Buy’
John Clements, Planning Policy and Community Manager for Exmoor National Park Authority, comments
“Exmoor National Park offers a stunning environment and satisfying life-styles, and continues to be seen as an attractive place to live by people from across both this region and the South-East. The down side of this is that housing here is highly sought after, and that many local people struggle to afford housing to meet their needs.
The National Park Authority is at the forefront of innovative rural planning policies and housing practice. It works hard to help encourage the provision of a range of lower cost housing to keep its rural communities thriving, and retain the skills and ways of life that help maintain its nationally treasured landscape.”
The full Survey Report is available to view online at: