The number of new homes registered to be built in the UK has topped 156,000 in 2015.

This was 7% up on the previous year, but down on the 11% and 23% growth seen the in the previous years,

In total, 156,140 new homes were registered by NHBC last year, 75% more than the housing crash low in 2009.

Private sector registrations increased by 7% to 118,611 in 2015, with the public sector up by 5% at 37,529.

The number of detached and semi detached homes registered over the last 12 months is the highest for over a decade. 

Around the country the Eastern region surged ahead with new home registrations up 23%, followed by the North West (+16%) and Scotland (+15%) following as fastest growing areas.

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 still leads the way in the volume of new home registered although the 2015 figure at 25,994 is down 9%.

Registrations in Yorkshire & the Humber were also down 13% with Wales 2% down on 2014.

NHBC Chief Executive Mike Quinton, said: “The 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.

“There 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.”