New housing starts in England have fallen by 6% over the past year to 173,400. The latest statistical release from the department of Communities and Local Government Statistical (DCLG) shows that in the first quarter of 2007 the slowdown in new house building has accelerated to a fall of 9% compared with the first three months of 2006, with just 43,600 new build starts.
Regional trends show that starts have flattened in most regions, but fallen back from recent peaks in the North West, London and East of England.
Most regions have maintained upward trends in completions, except for a levelling in the North West, West Midlands and the South East during the last financial year. The North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, East of England and South West currently show the highest levels of completions over the ten year period 1996-07 to 2006-07.
These higher figures for completions reflect the number of housing starts around two years ago. It is apparent from these latest figures from DCLG that new house building peaked in 2005-6 and is now declining at an accelerating rate.
