Construction down 1%
The value of construction projects starting on site from January to October 2010 was 1% down on the same period last year according to Glenigan.
Residential project starts were 5% down, and non-residential projects 6% up. Regionally the East of England performed best, while the South East and North West suffered the largest falls.
Private housing project starts declined nationally in the three months to October following the rapid recovery earlier this year. Social housing project starts also fell. "Private housing is forecast to recover by the end of 2010 but social housing will remain under pressure," James Abraham, economist for Glenigan said.
"The major supermarket chains continued to drive growth in private sector non-residential construction. Hotel and leisure, industrial and office project starts also increased in the three months to October," James said. "The impact of government spending has already been seen in health and community and amenity construction. However, there is a strong pipeline of community and amenity projects due to start on site. Education project starts increased in the three months to October, but are set to decline following the cancellation of the Building Schools for the Future programme."
