The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has completed the first part of its inquiry into competition and consumer issues in housebuilding.

The deadline for consultation has passed and investigators are preparing to conduct interviews with members of the industry.

The Home Builders Federation is understood to have co-ordinated a collective response to the consultation, but the next phase of the study will involve private, face-to-face meetings with housebuilders.

The study is looking at issues surrounding planning and consumer satisfaction in the housebuilding sector, particularly the delivery of housing.

Investigators are expected to report their findings next summer.