The number of NHBC registrations of new homes fell by 1,000 to 9,484 in February, compared with a year before. However, for the December-February quarter new registrations were up 14% to 29,557. Both private and public sector building showed similar gains.
The biggest increases were in greater London and the south-east, but the south-west and north-west also showed sizeable gains.
NHBC commercial director Richard Tamayo welcomed measures in the Budget that encourage housebuilding, such as a relaxation of planning controls. However, he added: "Our latest statistics show there is still a way to go before the country starts seeing figures on a par with pre-recession statistics."
