The NHBC has said the UK housebuilding decline is beginning to stabilise.
Its latest statistics show 17,859 applications to build new homes were received in the three months to the end of April – 10% higher compared to the previous rolling quarter (Jan-March).
Although the rolling quarter figures represent a 53% decline compared to a year ago, the NHBC said “some encouragement” could be taken from April’s figures which show applications in the combined private and public sectors rose for the fourth successive month in a row to 6,379.
NHBC chief executive Imtiaz Farookhi said anecdotal evidence from housebuilders and developers suggested conditions were easing slightly on site.
“While it is still too early to assume that these are definite signs of a recovery, some positive indicators are emerging which suggest that the severe downturn in housebuilding activity may be beginning to turn a corner.”
