Local authorities across the country recorded 3,292 new home registrations in the first three months of 2017, up from 3,021 in the same period last year.

Overall, a total of 42,470 homes were registered in the UK during Q1 2017, a 17% rise compared with last year (36,351 in 2015) and the highest figure for 10 years.

In the private sector, 31,197 homes were registered, a 10% increase compared with 28,278 last year. Elsewhere, 11,273 homes were registered in the ‘affordable’ sector, a 40% rise compared with 2016 (8,073).

In addition, all 12 regions across the UK also experienced growth when compared with the same period last year. The North East (+39%), London (+38%) and Eastern (+31%) were among the regions with the most notable growth.

NHBC managing director Neil Jefferson said the sector’s strong start to 2017 is “encouraging”.

“This growth in registrations, in both the private and affordable sector, is welcome news and will result in more newly built homes across the UK over the coming months,” he said.