New-build starts down 62%, survey reveals

There has been a “sluggish” start to the year for the residential construction sector, according to a new survey.

The latest edition of the National Housing Construction Index — published by independent planning research company Link2Plans — shows a healthy enough picture for planning applications; with an increase being seen in 18 counties, but actual build commencements have fallen dramatically.

The first quarter of the year saw a 9% year-on-year jump in planning applications for residential builds, but a staggering 62% annualised drop in actual project commencements.