Moray has enough identified land to meet its housing needs for more than 24 years, according to a new audit that offers a detailed picture of future home building across the area.
The findings come from the 2025/26 Moray Housing Land Audit, produced annually as part of the Local Development Plan process to track housing land availability, development progress, and completed homes.
The audit identifies a total housing land capacity of 12,209 homes across Moray, providing a substantial pipeline for future development.
At the current planned delivery rate of around 500 new homes per year, the available land could meet projected demand for more than two decades.
During 2024/25, a total of 305 new homes were completed across Moray, which fell slightly below projections.
The shortfall is largely attributed to delays in Buckie, where planned developments did not progress as quickly as expected.
Despite this, the audit highlights a strong supply of deliverable land in the short to medium term.
A total of 5,844 homes are identified on sites that are either ready or close to being ready for development.
These sites are expected to play a key role in supporting near term housing delivery across the region.
A further 6,365 homes are planned on sites that will take longer to bring forward.
These sites require additional planning approvals, infrastructure investment, or phased development.
Within this longer term supply, 3,825 homes are earmarked for strategic projects intended to meet future housing needs over an extended period.
The audit also highlights geographic variations in housing delivery across Moray.
In areas such as Keith, Speyside and Dufftown, housing completions have been lower than anticipated in recent years.
Work is ongoing to progress new developments in these locations to help meet local demand and support balanced growth.
Moray Council says the audit plays a crucial role in ensuring housing delivery aligns with infrastructure planning and community needs.
Cllr David Gordon, Chair of Moray Council’s Planning and Regulatory Services Committee, said:
“This year’s audit shows that Moray has a strong and well managed supply of land for new homes.
“Work is progressing to bring sites forward and deliver new homes across the region.
“The audit also gives us confidence for the future, helping us plan infrastructure and services so that new homes will continue to support thriving, sustainable communities and a strong local economy for years to come.”
The council says the findings will help inform decisions on schools, transport, utilities and other essential services needed to support growing communities.
As Moray continues to plan for population change and economic growth, the audit provides a clear framework for managing development responsibly and sustainably.
