Yorkshire & Humber’s construction sector has seen remarkable growth in 2024, with key indicators showing a significant increase in activity.
- Construction starts on-site surged by 98% in the last three months compared to the previous quarter, totalling £1.67 billion.
- Detailed planning approvals advanced by 12% from last year, with a total value of £2.67 billion.
- The Private Housing sector led the growth, accounting for 38% of new projects, with notable increases in Education and Infrastructure.
- Despite growth in some areas, the Industrial sector experienced a decline, falling by 16% compared to the previous year.
In the Yorkshire & Humber region, construction starts on-site have witnessed a significant increase, with the total value reaching £1.67 billion. This represents a remarkable growth of 98% against the previous three months and a 30% rise compared to the same period last year. This surge is attributed primarily to major projects worth £138 million that commenced recently, marking a substantial change from the prior months with no major projects.
Detailed planning approvals have also shown promising growth. The approvals increased by 5% compared to the previous quarter and by 12% from the last year, attaining a total value of £2.67 billion. While major projects saw a decline of 45% compared to the previous quarter, they experienced a notable increase of 137% against 2023 figures.
The construction activity has been predominantly driven by the Private Housing sector, which accounted for 38% of project starts, valued at £633 million. The sector noted a modest increase of 6% over the previous year. The Education sector emerged as the second most active, experiencing a remarkable increase of 224% from the prior year, accounting for a total of £219 million.
Infrastructure projects also demonstrated notable growth, witnessing a 540% increase to reach a value of £152 million. This represents the most rapid growth among any sector during this period, reflecting a strong investment trend in infrastructure development.
However, not all sectors saw positive trends. The Industrial sector encountered a downturn, with a 16% decrease in activity, culminating in a total value of £184 million. This downtrend contrasts with the overall positive growth in other sectors during this period.
Private Housing remained the largest sector in terms of approvals, with values totalling £703 million, albeit a 1% decline against the previous year. The Utilities sector followed closely, with approvals valued at £558 million, marking a 29% increase. The Offices sector also made substantial gains, increasing by 138% to £284 million.
Infrastructure approvals, though a smaller segment, surged by 357% compared to the prior year, totalling £107 million. This highlights a significant focus on enhancing the region’s infrastructure capabilities, underpinning future growth prospects.
The activity in Yorkshire & Humber demonstrates a dynamic growth trajectory, with Private Housing, Education, and Infrastructure leading the charge, although challenges remain in certain sectors.
