In the year to 31 March 2016, over 500 new houses were built on sites of 5 or more properties. This is a 49 per cent increase from the previous year, and well ahead of the 4 per cent increase shown in the most recently published national figures.

Cllr Ian Miller, leader of Perth and Kinross Council, said: “This is a really positive sign of the growth and potential within Perth and Kinross. The figures released today build up strong growth last year, when house completions increased from 262 to 343 - a 31 per cent increase - and it’s fantastic that this pace of growth is continuing to see 512 house completions in this year on sites where there are 5 or more properties.

“House building is one of the key indicators of economic growth in a region. These figures show the confidence the building and housing development industry has in Perth and Kinross, and demonstrates that the area has the infrastructure, demand and private sector investment to grow.

“Perth is a great place to work, and for residents commuting to work in other cities there are frequent train services to Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Planned rail investment benefiting the area will make doing business in and from Perth even more convenient in the future.

“Like all areas, house building in Perth and Kinross was severely affected by the global financial crisis, but today’s figures in addition to the major housing developments which are already planned for the area in the coming years, show that the industry locally is well on the road to recovery.”