Bucks house builders will be pleased to learn that statistics released by the National House Builders Council (NHBC) show that the number of UK applications to build new homes in July 2004 increased substantially compared with the same period last year.

The percentage increase in the south east, which accounts for much of Buckinghamshire was up by nearly 50%.

Generally throughout the UK there was a 36% increase over July 2003 with 18,518 new applications compared with 13,630 a year ago, in both public and private housing sectors.

Imtiaz Farooki, NHBC chief executive, says: "Although the percentage increase in applications to start new homes partly reflects the low number in July 2003, this July was an extremely buoyant month for both the private and public sectors.

"Furthermore, the overall number of applications so far this year is up six per cent on last year."

(c)Andrew Leech
andy@buckshouse1.demon.co.uk
Bucks House Publishing