Over half of housebuilders increased the rate at which they built new homes over the last year and predict a further rise over the next 12 months, according to a new survey published today.

Despite this, less than half of housebuilders think the Government target of building 300,000 homes a year on average by the mid 2020s is achievable.

The survey of more than 400 housebuilding companies in England was carried out for McBains, the leading construction consulting and design agency.

More than half of respondents overall (57%) reported they had increased their rate of housebuilding over the last 12 months. Overall, housebuilders said they had built, on average, 201 homes over the last year. This was expected to rise to 297 over the next 12 months.

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However, respondents to the survey cited worries over land availability, slow planning permission and skills shortages as barriers to preventing them building more homes.

Around half of respondents (48%) said these factors would also make it difficult for the government to meet its target of building 300,000 homes a year on average by the mid-2020s.

Clive Docwra, Managing Director of McBains, said: "Today's survey is encouraging in that housebuilders are increasing the rate at which they are building homes.

"However, issues such as a lack of appropriate land, slow planning permission and skills shortages remain significant factors holding back construction, which is why the majority of respondents are sceptical that the government’s housing targets will be met.

"In particular, the construction industry relies on thousands of skilled EU workers because of skills shortages in the domestic workforce, and with these workers potentially prevented from working in the UK after the Brexit transition period ends in 2021, many housebuilders will be struggling to find the workforce needed to build the new homes that are urgently needed.

"And for those people struggling to get a foot on the property ladder, the finding that only around one in five of new homes to be built over the next year will fall into the affordable category will be disappointing."