Significant jump in volume of homes started in England

The number of new housing starts continued to increase in 2014, with the latest data from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) revealing that a total of 137,000 homes were started last year, a rise of 10 per cent on 2013. The volume of residential properties being completed rose to 118,760 – up 8 per cent on 2013. The housing industry welcomed the rise, but said it was still significantly below of what the country needs to help satisfy high demand for housing, with house building levels in 2014 still 25 per below the peak reached in 2007. “The figures demonstrate the increase in house building activity over the past 18 months,” said Stewart Baseley (left), Executive Chairman at the Home Builders Federation (HBF). “Improving consumer confidence and the Help to Buy scheme have increased demand for new home and the industry has responded.” The HBF estimates that there are now over 100,000 more people employed as a result of the increase in house building, providing the country with an economic boost as well as much needed housing. However, whilst Help to Buy is now driving demand for new homes, constraints still remain – not least with the…

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