The Association said the move to buy Bargate Homes forms part of its plans to develop 17,000 more homes in the south of England over the next 10 years.

Both businesses will retain their own identity and approach to housebuilding.

Vivid chief executive, Mark Perry, said: “There continues to be a critical shortage of homes for people wanting to live in the region, which we’re doing all we can to help address.

“Bargate currently has around 2,500 plots secured for new homes giving us access to the extra land we need to maintain the momentum of our housebuilding programme.

“In addition, their expertise in land management and construction complements the skills of our team meaning that together we can achieve much more than either business can individually to meet our customers’ needs and aspirations.”

Gerard Price, founder of Bargate Homes, added: “Becoming part of Vivid will allow us to continue to develop our customer focussed business, building more individual homes in this beautiful part of the country that we choose to call home.”