While the South East is already densely populated, it remains one of England’s prime areas for property development. It has several large towns and cities, picturesque countryside and coastlines, and most importantly, easy access to London.
Whether it’s people looking to move out of London, families looking for safe suburbs or those searching for a quiet life by the sea, there are plenty of desirable locations in the South East.
This blog post explores some of the top places in the South East for property developers, taking into account demand, transport access, average property and land prices, and that X factor that increases desirability.
Where To Develop Property in The South East
Brighton & Hove
One of the UK’s most famous seaside cities, Brighton & Hove has something for everyone. With two universities, thriving tech, tourist and entertainment industries, a bohemian art scene and plenty of summer sunshine, it’s always been a desirable place to live.
This desirability is reflected in the average house price, which according to the ONS, was £427,000 in 2024. With easy access to London, the South Downs National Park and of course, its beautiful beaches, it’s no wonder it’s so expensive.
With the sea on the south side and the South Downs on the north, land can be expensive to purchase. However, demand is often so high that when planning permission is obtained, the returns can be significant. Similarly, as more and more people are priced out of Brighton & Hove, acquiring land in the surrounding towns of Worthing, Shoreham, Burgess Hill and Eastbourne could be a fantastic development opportunity.
Folkestone
Nestled on the glorious Kent coastline where sandy beaches meet the edge of the Kent Downs National Landscape, Folkestone has been named one of the best places to live in the South East by the Sunday Times in 2024.
Although once a fashionable resort that experienced the common 60s decline, Folkestone now boasts a hip art scene, a historic town centre with independent shops, a restored harbour and plenty of high-end restaurants and bars. What’s more, it’s affordable and commuters can be at London St Pancras in under an hour.
Additionally, it has excellent private and state schools, state-of-the-art sports facilities, extensive communications and broadband networks, and finally, plenty of sunshine. Property developers can take advantage of reasonably priced land or renovation opportunities before demand gets too high. In 2023, the average house price was £313,560, with terraced houses fetching around £290k, flats around £210k and semi- and detached houses selling for £370k+.
Reading
The large town of Reading in Berkshire was voted as one of the top 10 best places to live in the UK in 2023 by The Sunday Times due to its strong job market, affordable property prices and excellent transport links into London and the M4 corridor.
The opening of the Elizabeth Line in 2022 made it an even more viable place for commuters and families to call home. Alongside affordable property prices, Reading is considered very safe with an excellent quality of life and easy access to plenty of green space. What’s more, Reading University brings a large student population who need rented accommodation.
Alongside Reading, property developers could consider the nearby town of Bracknell. Boasting wages, rents and property prices above the national average, as well as a newly redeveloped town centre, it has plenty of opportunity for solid returns.
Lastly, the towns of Farnham in Farnham in Surrey and Basingstoke offer similarly attractive property development opportunities, for many of the same reasons.
Medway
Again located within easy reach of the capital, the Medway area of Kent consists of the towns of Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester, Rainham and Strood. As more and more people move out of London, commuter towns become excellent targets for property developers, and Medway is no exception.
It boasts an economy worth £4.8bn that is growing ahead of national trends, partly due to extensive industry and transport links to London, the South East and continental Europe. Those working in London can be at London Bridge in as little as 55 minutes.
The average house price in Medway was £315,753 in 2024, with terraces selling for around £280k, semi-detached for £340k and detached for £490k.
Chichester
Chichester is perfectly located between Brighton and Portsmouth yet offers a safe and quiet place for families to live. With a historic city centre, plenty of good schools and outdoor spaces, and easy access to the rest of the south coast.
The Southern Gateway development is transforming the city, bringing jobs and people to the area. Consequently, property developers can take advantage of increasing demand by providing quality family homes of all sizes.
Securing Property Development Finance in The South East
If you’re looking for your next project in the South East, we recommend thorough research on the local market and the types of property that are likely to prove popular. Once you’ve identified a site and created a plan, don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance with funding.
We’ve worked with property developers across the South East to turn ideas into reality and generate healthy returns, and we’re always eager to work with new people. Apply in principle and get a decision fast.
