Thinking about developing in Devon or Cornwall? So where are the opportunities for developers?
Cornwall and Devon: A unique opportunity for place-led development
Devon and Cornwall offer some of the UK's most distinctive development landscapes. Their combination of exceptional natural beauty, thriving visitor economies and growing investment opportunities creates sustained demand for land and property, while environmental protections, infrastructure constraints and dispersed communities require a thoughtful, place-led approach to development.
As two of England's most recognisable destinations, the counties support diverse economies spanning tourism, agriculture, marine industries, renewable energy and emerging technology sectors. Their long-term appeal continues to drive residential, commercial and infrastructure investment, but successful development depends on understanding local planning, landscape character and community priorities.
Against this backdrop, identifying the right locations, navigating planning complexity and aligning development with local priorities will be critical to unlocking long-term value.
A region shaped by landscape
Few parts of England are as environmentally significant as Devon and Cornwall. Around 35% of Devon and 27% of Cornwall lie within protected landscapes, compared with around 22% nationally. Combined with more than 650km of Cornish coastline and Devon's extensive north and south coasts, these landscapes define settlement patterns, local economies and planning policy.
The region's location at the end of the South West peninsula also presents infrastructure challenges. Longer transport routes, constrained connectivity and limited unconstrained land increase the importance of strategic site selection and locally informed development.
Housing demand continues to outpace supply
Strong demand, driven by population growth, lifestyle migration, tourism and second-home ownership, continues to place pressure on housing delivery and affordability.
Cornwall requires more than 4,400 new homes annually under the Government's standard method but currently has less than a four-year housing land supply and more than 21,000 households on its affordable housing register. Similar challenges exist across Devon, where many authorities continue to struggle to maintain five-year housing land supplies.
Second homes further intensify pressures, particularly in coastal communities. However, confidence in the market remains strong, with more than 8,000 new homes submitted through planning applications across Devon and Cornwall during 2025 - the highest annual total of the decade.
Tourism creates opportunity beyond the visitor economy
Tourism remains one of the region's defining economic drivers, generating billions of pounds annually and supporting tens of thousands of jobs. While seasonal demand creates pressures on housing, infrastructure and local services, it also presents opportunities to create more resilient, year-round economies.
Initiatives such as Experience Newquay and Devon's Local Visitor Economy Partnership demonstrate how investment can diversify local economies, extend the visitor season and support permanent employment while benefiting residents as well as visitors.
Unlocking sustainable growth
Development opportunities increasingly focus on regenerating existing settlements rather than large-scale expansion. Market towns, coastal communities and rural centre search offer opportunities for housing, commercial development and infrastructure investment that reflect local identity and landscape character.
Recent schemes illustrate this approach, combining new housing with affordable provision, green infrastructure, active travel connections and low-carbon technologies. At the same time, investment in renewable energy, battery storage and public infrastructure is strengthening the region's long-term resilience.
A strategic approach to land
Devon and Cornwall face growing competition for land as housing, food production, renewable energy, biodiversity, tourism and climate resilience all compete for limited space.
A multifunctional approach to land use offers the greatest opportunity to balance these competing priorities. By integrating housing delivery with environmental enhancement, renewable energy, sustainable tourism and resilient infrastructure, development can deliver multiple long-term benefits for communities and investors alike.
Looking ahead
The futureof development in Devon and Cornwall will be defined by quality rather thanscale. With land constrained but demand remaining strong, successful projectswill be those that respond to local context, support community priorities anddeliver environmental, social and economic value.
For developers and investors, the opportunity lies in adopting a strategic, place-led approach that recognises the unique characteristics of the region. By balancing growth with landscape protection and long-term resilience, Devon and Cornwall can continue to deliver sustainable development while preserving the qualities that make them among the UK's most distinctive places.
You can read the full report here
