The quarterly survey found that the South East has recovered from its Autumn slump, with 20 per cent of prospective homebuyers reporting that they will be looking to buy in the South East during the next 12 months. This figure is up from 12 per cent in Autumn, and reasserts its dominance over the South West, which slumps to six per cent.
However, the survey found a decline in the proportion of people who are planning a move this year fell to six per cent, from 12 per cent in 2002.
Paul Cooper, head of mortgages at Alliance & Leicester, said: "The South East has clearly regained its title as the most popular place to live in the UK. Over the last four months there has been a great deal of tension and uncertainty about the impact of the global crisis on the housing market and the UK economy at large. Our quarterly study has revealed the effect on consumer confidence, and as the South East is seen as a good indicator on the health of the UK property market, the figures suggest that confidence may be set for a return in the Spring months."
