Registrations by builders to develop new homes are higher this year than last with strong growth reported last month, according to new figures released by NHBC.

The figures also show signs of a revival in the public and affordable housing sector which saw an 8% increase in registrations in May.

For the rolling quarter (March-May), registrations increased by 15% compared to the same period last year (43,987 against 38,247).

The private sector increased by 17% during this period (33,046 against 28,216)

For May, 14,392 new homes were registered (11,162 private sector; 3,230 public sector), a 9% increase on the 13,194 homes (10,198 private; 2,996 public) registered in the same month last year.

NHBC chief executive Mike Quinton said; “So far in 2015 we have seen new home registrations remain consistently ahead of 2014 levels, which is clearly encouraging news.”