Latest figures from the NHBC for April show growth rates slipping down into around 3-4%, compared with last year's totals.
A year ago the same monthly figures were soaring around 30% compared to 2012 as the industry started to shift out of the doldrums. But the latest figures suggest the rapid growth in new home registrations is subsiding to a more “sustainable” level. But this falls short of the growth hoped for by Government.
In total 34,239 houses were registered for the rolling quarter February to April, just over a 3% increase on the same three-month period last year (33,111). Private home registrations during this period were up just 2% to 25,046, while public homes rose more sharply by 7% to 9,193.
The month of April saw a 4% increase compared to last April’s totals to 11,912.
Regionally the South East achieved the highest increase in registrations at 31%, followed by the West Midlands rose by 18%.
The South West, Eastern and Yorkshire and Humber regions record lower registrations in the three months than they did in 2013.
NHBC’s commercial director Richard Tamayo said:
“Having seen very strong growth in 2013, it is comforting to see 2014 consolidate and even improve on last year’s high volumes. As production ramps up across the country it is vital that we are able to provide the support and guidance to the industry that is needed at this time as builders strive to meet the growing demand for more new homes that the UK clearly needs.”
