Wichelstowe housebuilders reveal they have put £12m into communities

Housebuilders Barratt Homes Bristol and Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, contributed more than £308m to the UK’s economic output in the last financial year.

The developers also built 1,588 properties with a total market value of £461m. This resulted in a £28.7m spend in shops and services by residents of new homes, supporting 283 retail and service-related jobs.

In 2013, Barratt Developments became the first housebuilder to publish an economic footprint report, showcasing its impact on the country’s economy. Since then, the report has grown to highlight the company’s wider social and environmental contributions, reinforcing its commitment to building thriving communities and supporting sustainable development.

The achievements highlighted in its latest Socio-Economic Footprint report measures the contribution made by the Barratt Group to people, places and nature for the financial year 2024 (1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024). During the year, 100% of developments actively contributed to community infrastructure which across the ‘West’ region (comprising Bristol, Exeter, South West and South Wales divisions) included:

•  Delivering 331 affordable homes, sold 51% below the average price of a private new house
• Creating 39.2 hectares of green space - equivalent to 56 football pitches
• Donating more than £319,000 to charity and pledging 1,311 hours of employee volunteering
•  2,027 priority species enhancements installed including 547 swift nesting bricks, 1,167 hedgehog highways and 163 bat boxes
• £11.9m local contributions including s106 and equivalent contributions such as the Community Infrastructure Levy
• Hiring 42 graduates, apprentices and trainees on various employment programmes, contributing an estimated £458k to the wider economy
• Investing £55.86m on physical works to benefit local communities such as highway and environmental improvements
• Providing 218 new school places
•  Supporting 1,366 sub-contractor or supplier companies to create local employment opportunities, resulting in a total spend of £281m

Louise Ware, sales director for Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, said: “We remain proud to see the tangible impact our developments have on the UK economy and local communities. These latest figures reinforce our commitment to creating not just homes, but opportunities for people and businesses alike.”

Andrea Pilgrim, sales director for Barratt Homes Bristol, said: “Demonstrating our economic and social contribution is a priority for us as a responsible housebuilder. We strive to make a lasting difference in the areas where we build and these statistics highlight the positive outcomes we’re delivering across Wiltshire and beyond.”

Barratt Homes Bristol and Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, in partnership with Swindon Borough Council, are currently building at Wichelstowe, one of the largest local authority joint venture agreements in the country and the South West’s boldest new developments. It will deliver 3,000 new homes over 20 years, along with new schools and community facilities. The 250-hectare site on the southern edge of Swindon will include extensive open spaces, nature conservation areas, playing pitches and allotments.

David Wilson Homes South West is also currently Buckley Gardens in Melksham. It will soon launch its Honeymans Helm developments in Highworth during spring 2025.

The Socio-Economic Footprint report was carried out by planning and development consultancy, Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Limited trading as ‘Lichfields’.