Business

Housing-building in north 'growing at best rate since 2007' - NHBC

House-building in the north is up 42 per cent in the first quarter according to NHBC figures
House-building in the north is up 42 per cent in the first quarter according to NHBC figures House-building in the north is up 42 per cent in the first quarter according to NHBC figures

House building in Northern Ireland has got off to its best start to the year since 2007, with a 42 per cent increase in the number of new-builds.

The National House Building Council (NHBC) said that 776 new homes were registered in Northern Ireland between January and March.

In the UK as a whole, the figure was 40,281, marking the highest total for the first three months of the year since 53,420 new registrations were recorded in early 2007.

The NHBC's registration figures are taken from builders who are responsible for around 80 per cent of homes constructed in the UK. Builders are required to register a house with the NHBC before starting work, which means its figures represent homes that are to be built in the months ahead.

NHBC chief executive Mike Quinton said: "Our figures show an encouraging start to 2015 with new housing registrations up 18 per cent on the first quarter of last year. Housing growth levels remain strong across virtually every part of the UK.

"However, we have made clear that the UK is still building way below the volumes of homes that we need. NHBC looks forward to working with government to ensure that high quality new housing is a top priority."

Northern Ireland (up 42 per cent), the south east of England (up 47 per cent) and eastern England (up 70 per cent) saw particularly strong growth in house building in the first three months of 2015 compared with early 2014.

David Little, NHBC director in Northern Ireland, said that commuter areas around Belfast are particular hot spots.

"It is clear that confidence is back, with many builders in Northern Ireland enjoying a very strong start to the year," he said.

The figures also show that detached homes are continuing to make a comeback. More than a quarter (26 per cent) of new homes registered in the first three months of 2015 were detached, equalling the percentage seen across 2014. The proportion of homes being built that were detached fell to a recent low of 15 per cent in 2008.

The bulk of new-build homes being registered are flats and maisonettes, accounting for 31 per cent of properties.