Housebuilding at its highest for nearly a decade

New data from the government shows the number of new homes being built has hit its highest level for nine years.

Construction started on 164,960 new homes in the year to June 2017, an increase of 13% on the previous year and a rise of over three-quarters since the 2009 housebuilding low, according to the latest data.

The number of new homes completed during the period is also up 11% on the previous year to more than 153,000.

South Derbyshire and South Norfolk showed the strongest growth in new housebuilding starts, while parts of London and the North West of the country saw the lowest, according to the report, which is based on building control inspection data submitted by local authorities, the National House Building Council and independent inspectors to the communities department.

However, in the latest quarter, April and June 2017, which includes the run-up to the general election, overall new build starts were 3% down on the previous quarter. New starts by housing associations were down 19% and new build starts by private developers flat at 0%.

Local authority new housebuilding starts were also down from 350 between January and March to 320 between April and June.

Completions during the latest quarter by housing associations were up 17%, while completions by private developers remained flat at 0% on the previous quarter.

Housing minister Alok Sharma said: “Today’s figures are proof that we are getting Britain building again, with new housing starts reaching record levels since 2009.”