Government housing target missed by 26%

Annual housing supply in England totalled 222,190 net additional dwellings, figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government reveal. Homebuilders achieved just 74% of the government’s new homes target of 300,000 for the year ending 5 April. Housing stock additions increased by 4,850 against last year (up 2%), compared to an annual hike of 27,700 (15%) the previous year. The bulk of new homes, some 195,290 (88%), were delivered via new-build completions. The number of new-build homes delivered in the year exceeded last year by 11,720, however all other areas saw declines against volumes delivered last year. There were 4,550 conversions, 13,526 homes delivered through permitted development rights and 16,194 through other changes of use. Of those homes delivered through PDR, 85% were previously offices, with the remainder comprised of agricultural buildings, storage buildings and light industrial buildings. Regional trends There were 31,723 new homes delivered in London, down by 7,827 (20%) on the previous year. This is the first annual decline in new housing stock since 2012-13. Just 12 of the 33 boroughs in the capital reported a rise in the number of new homes provided. The largest year-on-year declines were seen in Tower Hamlets (-2,824), Southwark (-1,594) and Lewisham (-1,078). New housing delivery in the metropolitan districts rose by 5% to 38,708 new homes. The largest increase was in West Midlands, up by 1,919 to 7,907 new homes. The biggest chunk of delivery was in Greater Manchester, with some 8,961 new homes and growth of 14% on last year. Delivery in the shire districts maintained constant growth, with some 97,473 new homes, against 91,738 last year. Bedfordshire (8,033), Buckinghamshire (6,117) and Cambridgeshire (6,047) received the largest share of new housing supply. To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette