New home registrations in the UK fell by 2% during the third quarter of 2015, according to figures from the National House Building Council (NHBC).

In total, 36,219 new homes were registered in Q3 compared to 36,955 a year ago.

However, the overall year-to-date figures up to and including September reveal the number of registered new homes is 9% higher than the same period last year (117,525; 108,118 in 2014).

In addition, the private sector is static at -1% (28,527; 28,906 in 2014), while the public sector down by 4% (7,692; 8,049 in 2014).

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The drop in public sector registrations has been attributed by industry experts to many housing associations holding back on development in light of welfare reforms and the cap on rental increases.

On a national level, Northern Ireland (+39%), Scotland (+8%) and Wales (+4%) enjoyed a positive quarter when compared to the same period in 2014.

However, in England several regions reported a reduction in the number of registrations for the quarter.

NHBC Chief Executive Mike Quinton said: "Despite the marginal drop in housing registrations this quarter, 2015 is still promising to be a strong year for new housing growth in the UK. Our year-to-date figures show that registrations in both the private and public sector are ahead of last year.

"The industry remains upbeat and is working hard to build the number of homes our country so desperately needs, despite the pressures associated with rapid growth."

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(LM/MH)