New-build dwelling starts in England showed a marginal improvement in the second quarter (Q2) of 2024, with a 2% increase from the first quarter, reaching an estimated 22,990, according to the latest indicators published by the UK Ministry for Housing.
However, this figure represents a sharp 65% decline compared to the same period in 2023 and remains 65% below the peak of Q2 2023.
However, starts are still significantly above the trough experienced in Q2 2020 by 38%.
Completions of new-build dwellings in England painted a more positive picture, with a 14% quarterly increase to an estimated 43,030, and an 11% rise compared to Q2 2023.
Although completions have not yet returned to their Q1 2021 peak, they are substantially higher than the Q2 2020 period, marking a 167% increase.
This data on newly built dwellings is sourced from building control inspection reports submitted by local authorities, the National House Building Council, and other independent approved inspectors.
Over the year leading up to 30 June 2024, there was a notable 54% decrease in new-build dwelling starts, totalling 87,650, when juxtaposed with the previous year.
Completions also experienced a downturn, albeit less pronounced, with a 4% decrease to 162,710 compared to the year ending June 2023.
Regionally, all areas saw a year-on-year (YoY) decline in starts, with the East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber experiencing the most significant drops, at 64% and 61%, respectively.
Completions fell in six out of nine regions of England, with the South West facing the largest decrease of 12%.
The East of England boasted the highest rate of annual starts per 1,000 dwellings while the East Midlands led in annual completions per 1,000 dwellings.
The provisional data indicates a 15% YoY decrease in granted permissions for homes, down to 231,000 in the year to 30 June 2024 from 270,000 in the previous year.
The quarter ending June 2024 also saw a decline in new dwelling Energy Performance of Buildings Certificates (EPCs) lodged, with a 5% decrease compared to the same quarter last year.
Annually, new dwelling EPC lodgements also fell by 5%, totalling 229,700.
