The latest report revealed that private housing starts totalled £1,956m in value. At the same time, their notable growth against a year ago was still 34% lower than the same period in 2019. Starts for private apartments also rose in Q2, climbing 53% against Q2 2020. But they were a fifth down on 2019.
The value of private housing work in Q2 rose 56% against Q2 2020, at a value of £5,644 million. Meanwhile, residential main contract awards were boosted 77% in the same period against 2020, growing 7% against Q2 2019 and totalling £12,019 in value.
Major contract awards soared 111%, while declining by a quarter against the same time period in 2019.
Residential planning approvals fell 3% in Q2 against 2020, totalling £8,514 million. However, they were 16% up on Q2 2019. Approvals for major projects dropped 42% on 2020 to £1,753 million, but this matched 2019.
London held the greatest share of housing project starts during Q2, accounting for 26% of the sector. These starts totalled £1,372 million, growing 6% against last year.
And the capital saw the greatest proportion of detailed planning approvals at 17% of the sector’s total.
Allan Wilen, Glenigan’s economic director, said: “After a difficult 2020, these figures show that the majority of segments within the housing sector during the second quarter have achieved growth. For housebuilders and developers, this is welcome news that will help lift spirits for the sector, particularly with major contracts bouncing back 111% on last year.”
