However, house-building activity remained just 75% of what it was in the 2007/08 boom times.
The NHBC, which provides warranties to more than 80% of new homes built, said that it registered 156,140 new homes in 2015.
Private sector registrations increased by 7% (118,611 in 2015; 110,674 in 2014), with the public sector increasing by 5% (37,529 in 2015; 35,685 in 2014).
Continuing the trend from 2014, the number of detached homes registered over the last 12 months (42,173) is the highest for more than a decade. Additionally, the number of semi-detached homes registered in 2015 (35,423) is the highest in more than 20 years (36,757 in 1994).
NHBC鈥檚 data also revealed that the majority of UK regions experienced notable growth on 2014 levels, with the Eastern region (+23%), North West (+16%) and Scotland (+15%) leading the way.
The East Midlands (+12%), South West (+9%) and West Midlands (+9%) also enjoyed a positive year, as did Northern Ireland (+30%) although this was from a relatively low base.
London is still leading the way in the number of new home registrations. Although the 2015 figure of 25,994 registrations in London is down 9% on the record 2014 total of 28,518, 2015 saw the third highest number of registrations ever.
Yorkshire & the Humber saw a 13% decline and Wales was down 2% on 2014.
NHBC's report also shows that there were 139,975 homes completed in 2015, which is a 16.7% rise on the 119,898 completed in 2014, but well short of 2007鈥檚 figure of 185,523.
Commenting on the annual statistics, NHBC chief executive Mike Quinton said: 鈥淲e are pleased to report that 2015 was a year for continued housing growth in the UK. Both the public and private sectors have performed well and we have seen encouraging levels of house-building across most regions of the country.
鈥淭he detached home continues its resurgence, with our figures showing that house builders are building the highest number of detached properties for over a decade, with semi-detached homes also at their highest level in more than 20 years.
鈥淭here is still a way to go before we are building the levels of new homes that were seen before the economic downturn, but 2015 represents consolidation on the growth seen over the last three years.鈥
Regional breakdown of total new homes registered in 2015:
Country/Region |
2015 |
2014 |
England - Regions |
听 | 听 |
North East |
5,822 |
5,346 |
North West |
13,568 |
11,673 |
Yorkshire & the Humber |
7,633 |
8,785 |
West Midlands |
13,478 |
12,330 |
East Midlands |
13,236 |
11,838 |
Eastern |
16,871 |
13,661 |
South West |
15,725 |
14,389 |
Greater London |
25,994 |
28,518 |
South East |
23,149 |
21,394 |
Totals for England |
135,476 |
127,934 |
Scotland - Councils |
12,755 |
11,138 |
Wales - Unitary Authorities |
4,686 |
4,800 |
Northern Ireland - Counties |
3,223 |
2,487 |
Totals for UK |
156,140 |
146,359 |
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