More than 13,000 new homes were registered to be built across the UK in February, according to the NHBC’s latest registration statistics, which represent about 80% of the new homes market.

A total of 13,277 new homes were registered in February, an increase of 9% on the 12,130 recorded a year earlier, according to NHBC’s latest registration statistics. Of the new homes registered, 9,666 were in the private sector and 3,611 were in the affordable sector.

Overall, there were 36,355 new home registrations in the rolling quarter (Dec 2016 – Feb 2017) compared to 33,142 in the corresponding period last year.

Over the rolling quarter, many regions across the UK saw growth in housebuilding activity, including Wales (93%), Yorkshire & Humberside (27%) and South West (22%), when compared to the same time in 2016.

Reflecting on the latest figures, Neil Jefferson, managing director at the NHBC, said: “The strong start to this year’s new home registrations continues, with promising signs for the remainder of the first quarter.

“At a time when there is clearly a considerable demand for new homes, this growth in both the private and affordable sector is welcome news.”