Statistics released by insurance provider NHBC revealed that the number of applications to start new homes in the UK decreased to 22% year-on-year during the three month period from December 2007 to February 2008.

NHBC’s statistics showed that there were 35,780 applications to start new homes in the three months from December 2007 to February 2008 – a 22% decrease on the same three-month period a year ago (45,613). Of that total, 28,580 related to private sector activity (i.e. excluding housing associations), showing a 24% decrease on the same period in 2007 (37,529).

Housing association completions also decreased in the three months to the end of February this year with applications totalling 7,200 – a decrease of 11% on the same period a year ago.

Imtiaz Farookhi, NHBC chief executive, said: “NHBC figures show that the number of registrations by house builders has fallen in the three months to the end of February. The number of completions also fell, although less sharply, with our statistics showing a year-on-year decline of 4%.”