Slump hits new-home construction
Friday, 22nd August 2008

A recent survey by the Department for Communities and Local Government has revealed that the number of new housing starts in England has dropped if the DCLG said it in the second quarter.

Figures between April and June are down by 19 per cent on the same period of 2007, with 33,400 new homes started, although this was a slight improvement on the previous quarter, which saw a fall of 24 per cent.

Housing completions in England also dropped by nine per cent on the previous quarter, down 13 per cent in total on June 2007.

Construction, however, recorded a two per cent rise on the first quarter of this year, according to data compiled by the Office of National Statistics.

Another growing trend is that of Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), with figures noting a 56 per cent growth in the last 12 months - their highest quarterly level in 11 years.

Last week, online construction news resource Building noted that the governmental regeneration agency, English Partnerships, was handing over the development of 344 eco-homes in Peterborough to an RSL from Sunderland.