New homes hit nine-year high
August 2017

The number of new home starts has hit the highest level since 2008, according to figures published by the Department for Communities & Local Government this week. Also this week, industry analyst Barbour ABI reported a six-year record £2.5billion contract value for housebuilding in July.

The latest DCLG housebuilding data shows that 164,960 new homes were started in the year to June, up 13% on the previous year, and have increased by over 75% since the low in 2009. 

The number of home completions also increased by 11% in the same period, to reach more than 153,000.

Within these overall figures, the department says private enterprise starts increased by 16% while housing associations fell by 2%. However, completions in private enterprise rose by 12% and those by housing associations by 6%.

Housing and Planning Minister Alok Sharma said: “The figures are proof that we are getting Britain building again, with new housing starts reaching record levels since 2009. It’s vital we maintain this momentum to deliver more quality homes in the places that people want to live.”

The figures show growth in housebuilding right across the country, with Gloucestershire, South Derbyshire and South Norfolk recording the most starts.

Meanwhile, Barbour ABI in its latest Economic and Construction Market Review reports that: “Outside of January and February this year, housebuilding figures reached £2.5 billion for July – the highest value for any month since Barbour ABI began tracking the series six years ago.”

Latest housebuilding data
www.barbour-abi.com