The number of new homes being built soared by 85% in March as the housebuilding industry continued to recover, figures have shown.
Registrations for new homes totalled 11,018 during the month, up from 5,954 in March 2009, according to the National House-Building Council (NHBC).
There was also a 72% jump in the number of new properties registered during the first quarter of 2010, compared with a year earlier, at 27,974.
The group said the recovery was being driven by the UK's two largest regions, with registrations in the West Midlands 153% higher during the three months to the end of March, compared with the same period of 2009, while in London they were 138% higher.
Imtiaz Farookhi, chief executive of the NHBC, said: "The data for the first quarter of 2010 shows compelling evidence of a continued recovery, albeit from an exceptionally weak comparative period.
"It will be easier to gain a clearer view of how the recovery will develop following the election, when we should have a better idea of the direction of the economic environment.
"While registrations are still significantly lower than before the recession hit, these latest figures are certainly a step in the right direction."
There was an increase in the level of new properties being built by both the public and the private sector during the first quarter of the year.
Private sector housing starts rose by 114% during the three months, compared with the same period of 2009, to 18,412, while public sector ones rose by 26% to 9,562.
Housebuilders have endured a difficult time during the past couple of years due to the combination of the credit crunch and falling house prices.
Source: The Press Association
See Also: Property News (0), National House Building Council (0)
Date Published: 04 May 2010
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