The pretty area that's the UK's 'new build black spot' - not 1 single 'home' sold

A small vibrant market town, once hailed 'the greatest town in Europe', seemingly may have lost its touch, with it being branded a 'new build black spot'. Tucked away in the verdant hills of West Yorkshire, you will find Hebden Bridge, which is renowned for its rich textile-producing past.

With river and canal views and a laid-back, creative atmosphere, this pretty little UK town began its modern renaissance in the 1970s. A wave of artists, musicians, and creatives moved in, drawn by the town's affordable housing and dramatic landscapes. Its high street is dotted with rows of independent shops-a far cry from many other towns and cities where chain stores dominate. Back in 2018, it was on National Geographic's "cool" list.

It was also named "one of the world's funkiest towns" by British Airways' High Life magazine. And Culture Trip called it "Greatest Town in Europe".

However, according to buy-to-let insurance experts at Alan Boswell Group, Hebden Bridge is among the 207 towns and cities in the UK that recorded a 0% new-build share in 2023-24, meaning no new-build homes were sold at all.

During this period, Hebden Bridge saw 463 homes sold, with 0 new builds sold.

Twickenham, the home of English rugby, is also identified as a new-build black. This sought-after suburban district of London offers vast open green spaces, quick links to London, and high-quality schools.

However, between 2023 and 2024, 1,668 homes were sold, and 0 new builds were sold.

Also making the unfortunate list is Southsea, a traditional seaside resort in Portsmouth. Famed as the home of the Royal Navy, the area is rich in heritage and history, including HMS Nelson, the Warrior, Southsea Castle and the Royal Marines Museum.

Between 2023 and 2024, 0 new builds were sold whilst 2,029 homes were sold.

A spokesperson for Alan Boswell Group said: "These figures suggest that heritage protection, planning constraints, or simply a saturated old-build market are preventing modern development in certain areas, posing challenges for buyers prioritising energy efficiency or accessibility."

At the other end of the spectrum Banwell, Swanscombe, and Arundel recorded the highest proportion of new build sales in 2023-2024.

Heath Alexander-Bew said: "The UK's housing demand remains intense, especially in large cities where new build construction often can't keep up with population growth. However, this data clearly shows that regional development hotspots, even in smaller towns like Banwell or Swanscombe, are filling that gap."