The rate of construction of new private homes has doubled over the past year, as the housing market continues to show signs of a resurgence.
New figures from the National House-Building Council, which provides the warranties on new homes, show that 31,038 new homes were registered during the three months to the end of April, up 74% on the same period last year.
Of thse, private sector registrations accounted for 20,538, a rise of 113% on last year. Public sector registrations increased 28% to 10,500.
The NHBC said there had been a rebound in the house-building sector across all UK regions, with particularly strong growth in Greater London and the West Midlands.
“Our figures show a steady improvement in the number of homes being built in the UK, indicating that the industry has consolidated and built on the improved conditions seen over the past months,” said Imtiaz Farookhi, chief executive of NHBC.
“The challenge will be to sustain this growth against the backdrop of an uncertain environment, as the new coalition settles in and sets out its strategy for meeting housing needs.”
However, the number of new homes constructed each year is still only half the previous Labour government’s target of 240,000.
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