Can locals still afford Dartmoor homes?

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics reveals a significant rise in house prices across Dartmoor, with both West Devon and Teignbridge experiencing sharp increases.

In West Devon, the average house price stood at £330,000 in November 2024 (provisional), marking a 9.0 per cent rise compared to November 2023. 

This increase far outpaces the South West regional average, which saw a more modest 2.2 per cent rise over the same period.

Similarly, in Teignbridge, the average house price reached £320,000 in November 2024, an increase of 4.3 per cent from the previous year, also exceeding the regional average.

This surge in property values represents a stark contrast to a decade ago. 

In 2015, the average house price in West Devon was £215,459, meaning prices have risen by £114,541 over ten years. 

In Teignbridge, the average price was £211,778 in 2015, reflecting an increase of £108,222.

The data, last updated on 15 January 2025, highlights an escalating housing crisis that is affecting local communities. 

Rising property prices, coupled with a high number of second homes on Dartmoor, are exacerbating affordability issues.

According to South Hams and West Devon Council, both factors are contributing to the limited availability of affordable housing in the region. In a statement to The Moorlander, the council said: “It is a complex issue, affecting a wide range of organisations across Devon.”

They added: “As local authorities that include parts of Dartmoor, South Hams and West Devon, we work hard to do what we can to deliver affordable housing and meet the needs of our residents.”

A housing commission report, published last year and led by Lord Richard Best, former chair of the Devon Housing Commission (2023–2024), examined the challenges posed by Devon’s rural landscape.

The report highlighted that Devon’s geography, including narrow country roads, steep hillsides, and a high proportion of land protected as National Parks and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, makes new housing developments difficult.

To tackle these issues, the report recommended greater use of Rural Exception Sites to enable affordable housing and revitalise local communities. 

It suggested that landowners may require incentives to make these sites available at minimal cost. 

The report also advocated for the support of Community Land Trusts through local and national government funding, such as a relaunched Community Housing Fund.

The commission ultimately acknowledged the scale of the challenge ahead.

Sawdye & Harris, an estate agent specialising in the Dartmoor market, weighed in on the debate.

Katie Griffin, a representative from the agency, told The Moorlander: “The Dartmoor housing market is a complex landscape. While some of my clients choose not to sell to second-home buyers, it's important to recognise that often these buyers have connections to the area. “They may be individuals returning to their hometowns or seeking to re-commence family live in the South West.

“It's true that an influx of second-home ownership can drive up property prices, making it challenging for local residents to afford homes. However, it's also worth noting that some second-home owners contribute positively to the community. With significant investments revitalising some villages,  enhancing tourism and providing local employment opportunities.

“Balancing the needs of the local community with the interests of incoming buyers is essential. While measures like increased council taxes on second homes aim to address housing affordability, it's equally important to acknowledge the positive contributions that some second-home owners bring to the region.

“While the concerns about housing affordability are valid, it's crucial to approach the issue with a balanced perspective, and look at both the challenges and the benefits that second-home ownership can bring to Dartmoor and its surrounding areas.”

With house prices continuing to rise and local councils struggling to address the issue, the question remains; how can Dartmoor’s housing market be made more sustainable for those who call it home?