More than 11,700 new homes were registered to be built in July, according to NHBC's latest new home registration statistics, an increase of 12% compared to the same month last year.
A total of 11,774 new homes (8,496 private sector; 3,278 affordable sector) were registered during the month, compared to 10,534 (8,115 private sector; 2,419 affordable sector) in July 2016.
During the rolling quarter 39,446 new homes were registered (May to July), a 6% increase on the 37,297 registered 12 months ago.
Over the rolling quarter 28,210 homes were registered in the private sector, representing a slight 1% decrease on the same period a year ago (28,466), with 11,236 new homes registered in the affordable sector, a 27% increase on 2016 numbers (8,831).
The continued rise in the affordable sector can be attributed to a number of larger Housing Associations developing homes for market rent, private sale and shared ownership, along with a rise in joint ventures with the private sector.
Eight out of the 12 UK regions experienced growth in registrations over the rolling quarter, when compared to the same period last year. West Midlands (3,780 +42%), the North West (4,753 +24%) and Wales (1,435 +34%) were among the regions with most notable growth.
As the leading warranty insurance provider for new homes in the UK, NHBC's registration statistics are a lead indicator of the UK's new homes market.
Commenting on the latest new home statistics, NHBC Business Development Director Neil Jefferson said: "It is encouraging that the growth in new home registrations seen over the the first half of the year has continued.
"With demand for new homes remaining strong, it is a positive sign that July's registrations show growth in both the private and affordable sectors and across most regions of the UK."
During May - July 2017, the number of NHBC new home registrations was 39,446 compared to 37,297 in the same period last year. Of these: 28,210 were registered in the private sector, compared to 28,466 in the same period last year; and 11,236 were registered in the affordable sector, compared to 8,831 in the same period last year.
