Number of new homes hits 5-year high, says NHBC

The volume of new homes being developed in the UK has reached its highest in five years, according to industry figures. 

A total of 67,422 new homes were registered in the first half of this year with the National House Building Council (NHBC) - the highest figure since 2008.

The NHBC reports that its new homes registrations, which reflect housebuilders' housing starts, account for around 80% of the new homes market in the UK.

The most recent data for the second quarter shows that there were 35,683 starts, up 38% compared to the corresponding quarter last year.

Richard Tamayo, the NHBC's commercial director, said: "While London remains an engine for growth we are seeing overall numbers up across the UK."

Housebuilding activity is being stimulated by government stimulus schemes, such as Help to Buy and Funding for Lending.Barratt Homes is just one of a host of developers to have increased house building activity as a result of greater demand from buyers, according to Chief Executive, Mark Clare.

He said: "Our production will rise to meet higher levels of demand and it's likely that our completions this year will be up 20% on two years ago."