CMA raises concern about lessening of competition in one local market in Shropshire

A regulator has told Barratt and Redrow to address concerns over an expected 鈥渟ubstantial lessening of competition鈥� in one local market so that the pair鈥檚 拢2.5bn merger can proceed.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today raised concerns that the deal, which was , might disadvantage homebuyers in an area around Whitchurch, Shropshire, if a resulting loss of competition leads to higher house prices or lower quality homes.

The CMA has now given the housebuilders until next Thursday (15 August) to come forward with proposals to address the watchdog鈥檚 concerns. If they don鈥檛, the CMA will launch an in-depth 鈥榩hase two鈥� investigation which could ultimately lead to the deal being blocked.

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Barratt鈥檚 deal to merge with Redrow was announced earlier this year

Joel Bamford, executive director for mergers at the CMA, said: 鈥淧rospective homebuyers must not be disadvantaged as a result of deals like this one 鈥� with the potential loss of competition leading to even higher house prices or lower quality homes.

鈥淥ur initial investigation found concerns specifically in one area in and around Whitchurch, the companies now have the opportunity to agree workable solutions which address our concerns rather than move to a more in-depth investigation.鈥�

However, the CMA said it has no competition concerns about the merger, which would create the largest housebuilder in the UK, on a national level.

It said the merged housebuilder would still have a 鈥渞elatively modest market position鈥� with a share of supply of between 10% and 20% and would 鈥渃ontinue to face sufficient remaining competition from other large housebuilders鈥�.

The merger deal, if it does go ahead, would mean Barratt, already UK鈥檚 largest housebuilder, would increase its turnover to more than 拢7bn, based on 2023 figures, compared with the 拢4.3bn turnover posted by second biggest builder Taylor Wimpey last year.

The CMA鈥檚 concerns are centred on an 11 mile area around Whitchurch, Shropshire, which contains four Barratt developments and a Redrow development.

Barratt and Redrow said they will engage with the CMA to agree 鈥渟uitable undertakings鈥� to alleviate the regulator鈥檚 concerns.

A spokesperson said these undertakings 鈥渨ill seek to address the future conduct of sales and build on the Redrow site鈥� but it does not anticipate disposing of any land.

>>See also: Barratt鈥檚 acquisition of Redrow: the numbers and key players

>>See also: Barratt deal would not have been necessary if not for 鈥榙ire鈥� housing market, says Redrow founder

>>See also: Concrete frame defects and fire safety work cost Barratt an extra 拢130m

David Thomas, group chief executive of Barratt, said: 鈥淲e are pleased that the CMA has found there would be no harm to competition in all but one of the areas in which Barratt and Redrow overlap.

鈥淲e remain confident that the combination of Barratt and Redrow will be approved and that it is in the best interests of our customers and wider stakeholders. Together we plan to build on our shared strengths and create an exceptional homebuilder, in terms of quality, service, and sustainability, helping to deliver the homes the country needs.鈥�

Matthew Pratt, group chief executive of Redrow, said: 鈥淥nce the CMA process has completed, we are looking forward to our future as one team, accelerating the delivery of high-quality homes that the country so urgently needs.鈥�

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