North Devon land ‘on the radar’ for expansion as major housebuilder moves into South West

A national housebuilder has confirmed to the Gazette that North Devon is “on the radar” for new land opportunities, as the company launches a major expansion across the South West.

Miller Homes, which has been building houses for more than 90 years, officially opened its new regional headquarters in Bristol this week.

The move comes as local councils face increased pressure to meet the government’s target of building 1.5 million homes by 2029.

The developer’s new 11th divisional arm is based at Aztec West in Almondsbury. From this hub, the firm says it is actively scouting for land across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, and Devon.

While no specific sites in North Devon have been confirmed, a spokesperson for Miller Homes said the area is “part of the wider plan to help Miller Homes grow”.

The expansion follows the developer’s recent planning successes in Newport and Swansea, as well as a new land acquisition in Royal Wootton Bassett.

The developer's interest comes at a time of heightened pressure on local planning authorities.

According to the North Devon and Torridge Five-Year Housing Land Supply Interim Statement, published in January 2025, the annual housing requirement for the region has jumped from 861 (as set in the 2011–2031 Local Plan) to 1,330 dwellings per year, an increase of 54.5 per cent. 

While the move brings investment and potential jobs to the Bristol headquarters, the prospect of large-scale developments in rural Devon remains a sensitive issue.

Campaigners have previously raised concerns about the impact of rapid expansion on local infrastructure, including schools and GP surgeries, which many residents feel are already at breaking point.

Miller Homes said its new office would help “aid the developer’s success in purchasing and delivering new homes schemes” across the region.