Figures published by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) today show that 241,130 net additional dwellings were added to England’s housing stock in 2018/19.
Delivery was up nine per cent on 2017/18, well above the two per cent growth recorded that year but below the rate of acceleration seen since 2013/14.
The number of net additional homes being added to England’s housing stock is the highest since records began in 1991-92, according to the MHCLG figures (see bar chart, below).
It is now eight per cent above the previous 2007/08 peak of 223,530 homes, which was just before the global ecomomic crisis took hold. It is also 93 per cent above the low point of just 124,720 homes seen in 2012/13.
New build homes accounted for 213,660 of the total, or 89 per cent. Meanwhile, 29,260 came from changes of use between non-domestic and residential, 5,220 were gained from conversions between houses and flats, and 940 were additional dwellings such as caravans and house boats. These additions were offset by 7,940 demolitions.
MHCLG said 14,107 of the change of use net additions were delivered under permitted development rights. Of these, 12,032 dwellings came from former offices, 883 from agricultural buildings, 199 from storage, 69 from light industrial and 924 from other non-domestic buildings.
Stewart Baseley, executive chairman at the Home Builders Federation said: "Today’s numbers show the huge progress made by the industry as we look to meet the country’s housing need.
"We need politicians to continue to work with us and develop policies that enable further increases to be delivered. We need to see policies that ensure buyers can buy and that enough land comes forward in the right places quickly and efficiently.
"We also need to see more support for SME builders and specialist providers to ensure the supply base continues to grow."
