More than 10,000 more homes were built in the UK in 2011 compared to the previous year, the latest NHBC statistics reveal.
Completions totalled 113,340, up from 103,800 in 2010, while registrations were almost identical for the two years (2011: 115,020; 2010: 115,460).
Registrations during the pre-recession high of 2007 were 200,700.
NHBC chief executive Imtiaz Farookhi said the last quarter of 2011 was particularly weak, with little sign of the cautious growth experienced earlier in the year. Quarterly registrations fell to 21,152 (2010: 27,262)
He said independent predictions of housing shortfalls over the coming years placed even greater pressure on a successful delivery of the government’s recently announced housing strategy.
“There is general consensus that the combined efforts of the housing and mortgage industries could have a positive effect on sentiment and volumes, but it is important not to underestimate the factors holding back new homes construction,” he said.
Mr Farookhi said smaller builders would continue to find the current situation difficult.
