Some regions around the UK are bucking the trend when it comes to building new homes, according to newly-released figures.
The latest national statistics from the National House Building Council (NHBC) show that the number of new homes fell back slightly on their figures for 2017. Last year saw registrations for 159,617 new homes, 0.5% down on the returns for the previous twelvemonth.
But certain regions recorded significant upturns, in line with other housing market data that hints at a variable scene around the country. The NHBC, who cover 80% of the UK market, also revealed that completions had marginally improved in 2018, with 1% more – 149,480 – actually completed.
Big rise in Yorkshire and Humberside
Yorkshire and Humberside’s performance stands out, the region showing a 20% increase in registrations with 11,196 in 2018. Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, classed as one region, actually performed better proportionally than Yorkshire and Humberside with a 39% increase, but from a lower base with 4,908 registrations.
The north-west showed a small rise with a 7% uplift to just over 18,000. But at the other end of the spectrum, NHBC’s figures showed a 10% in London to a shade over 16,000 registrations for new homes.
Weather and Brexit made 2018 a challenge
The figures point to the challenges posed if the government’s aim of 300,000 new homes to be built per year by the mid-2020s is to be met. NHBC chief executive Steve Wood said the figures showed there is “resilience” in the sector.
“2018 has been a demanding year, with the extreme weather conditions in the early part and the continuing political and economic uncertainties, which are extending into 2019. Whatever the environment, NHBC will continue to support housebuilders to deliver the high-quality, new homes that the country needs.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government acknowledged that the numbers are falling short of demand, saying: “We still need to deliver more, better, faster, but more than 222,000 homes were delivered in 2017-18, the highest level in all but one of the last 31 years.”
Building more modular homes could help
The first few months of 2018 saw the UK slammed by successive spells of bad weather, including the notorious ‘Beast from the East’. They disrupted the building industry, but one way of coping with the British climate may be in modular homes – purpose-built units constructed on a production line indoors.
Legal and General’s plant in Leeds turns out around 4,000 homes a year, and Ilke Homes recently opened a new factory in nearby Flaxby with plans to turn out 2,000 annually. Homes England have also recently backed a scheme to install modular homes on the roofs of existing buildings in five London boroughs.
NHBC's annual new homes statistics show that for 2018 as a whole, 8 of the 12 months showed an increase in registrations on the same period a year ago. https://t.co/EMVDG7407e #newbuildhomes #construction #Thursdaythoughts #constructionworker #newbuild pic.twitter.com/deXyPzfWjw
— NHBC (@NHBC) February 7, 2019
