Bradford retained pole position as the UK’s leading housing hotspot in the three months to July, according to the latest research from OnTheMarket.  

The property website’s Hotspots Index looks at the number of available sales properties over a quarter, comparing that against the volume of onsite activity, creating a score that represents the intensity of interest in that area. 

The West Yorkshire city, which is the UK’s City of Culture this year, has led the survey for the last nine months.

In the current poll, Coventry saw one of the largest increases in ranking, moving into second spot from ninth, driven by a spike of enquiries showing growing interest in the area.  

Stoke-on-Trent was a new entrant to the top ten, rising to ninth from twelfth. 

Meanwhile, Barnsley moved the other way, dropping out of the top ten to fifteenth. 

OnTheMarket president Jason Tebb says: “Once again, the north/south divide is holding firm, with the top of the list dominated by some of the most vibrant and best-value locations in the north of England, where we find the most heat in terms of activity.  

“Conversely, at the foot of the table, the southern seaside towns with comparatively higher average property values are to be found, such as Worthing, Southend-on-Sea and Bournemouth.”

Tebb adds: “Despite five interest rate reductions in the past year, along with many lenders easing their criteria, the continued high cost of living means affordability is still a concern for many.

“As a result, buyers are favouring those locations where their money will go further. “However, despite strong wage growth, average property values have also increased, making it difficult for many to bridge the gap.”