The number of new homes delivered in England last year rose to its highest figure in almost 30 years according to figures from the Ministry of Housing.

Some 241,130 additional homes were recorded for the year to March 2019, a rise of nine per cent on the previous year and the highest annual total since official records began in 1991/92. The previous high point of 223,530 new homes was achieved over ten years ago in 2007/08.

The figures do not provide a breakdown by tenure type and they are net of 7,940 demolitions. The overall figure is made up of 213,660 new builds, 29,260 gains from change of use between non-domestic and residential, 5,220 via house-to-flat conversions, and 940 other gains, such as caravans and house boats.

A total of 14,107 of the net additions from change of use were achieved through permitted development rights, where full planning permission was not required.

By Patrick Mooney, Editor