Property building figures 'highest since 89'

Posted: 18 May 2007 09:43:40 GMT

Figures released by the government suggest that the number of new properties being built has hit its highest level for almost 20 years.

Figures released by the government suggest that the number of new properties being built has hit its highest level for almost 20 years.

The study shows that there were 168,000 new homes constructed in the 2006-07 period.

During the last five years, the housing market has seen growth and successful planning permissions for brand-new dwellings have also seen a distinguished rise over the same amount of time, the report suggests.

Officials said that the figures confirm there is a reliable planning system in place in the county and that it does respond the public's needs.

Planning officer at the Campaign to Protect Rural England Kate Gordon added that regeneration is the key for areas were there is sufficient land to be used.

"How new development takes place needs to be properly agreed through the planning process, so that it takes advantage of opportunities to regenerate run down and derelict land and provide affordable homes, while safeguarding the countryside from unnecessary development," she commented.

The findings further revealed that the number of properties being built has shown a rise each year since 2001-02.

In 2006, the number of houses completed in the UK stood at 160,230, according to Department for Communities and Local Government figures recently reported by Find a Property.

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