There has been a rise in the number of new build properties in Scotland by more than 300 on the following year, according to Scottish Government statistics. Work began on 13,829 properties in 2011-12, up 308 on the previous year, however the total is still significantly lower than the 28,434 houses started five years ago.
Housing Minister Margaret Burgess says: "I am encouraged with the increase in the number of houses started over the last year. However, we should be under no illusion that these remain very challenging times for the house building industry."
The news wasn't all positive as the Scottish Government figures showed fewer houses were completed last year and fewer housing association homes were started and finished, with 4,776 completed in 2011-12, down from 5,111 the previous year.
Responding to Scottish Government statistics showing a rise in the number of new homes started in the year to September 2012, industry body Homes for Scotland today described the news as encouraging but cautioned that the figures indicated the annual build rate would remain at its lowest level since the end of the Second World War.
Chief Executive Philip Hogg says: "Any positive news is clearly welcome but the situation remains, as the Housing Minister herself correctly recognizes, very challenging.
"This is demonstrated by the fact that completions, which remain the ultimate measure of production, have actually fallen over the period in question.
"It is estimated that 450,000 new homes are required to help meet household formation and population growth in Scotland over the next 20 years, but at current build rates this would result in a shortfall of 150,000. This would significantly exacerbate Scotland's housing crisis and highlights the scale of the challenge facing our sector."
Barratt Homes announced earlier this week they would be launching 17 sites over the coming year comprising 2480 homes across Scotland and a strong start to the year for developers with MI New Home helping first- and second-time buyers get on the ladder.
