Bovis delivers first of new range in strong half year

Bovis delivered 1,647 (2018: 1,580) completions in the half year to the end of June, a 4% increase on the prior year. Of this 1,031 (2018: 1,030) were private units and 616 (2018: 550) affordable.

In a trading statement issued today, Bovis confirmed good progress with the roll-out of its new Phoenix housing range with the first legal completions from the new housing range delivered during June. There was “excellent customer feedback” said the firm, which “remains confident our new house types will deliver an enhanced sales proposition for our customers, improved build efficiency and a reduction in build costs.”

The firm saw a 15% increase in average private sales rate per site per week to 0.6 (2018: 0.52), and private average selling price in the period increased to around £342,000 (2018: £334,700), driven by an improved geographical spread of sales outlets with overall underlying pricing remaining broadly flat. Total average selling price increased by about 3% to around £270,000 (2018: £262,700).

Bovis opened ten new developments in the half and operated from an average of 88 active sites. The firm expects to open a further 13 new sites this year, with average active sites for 2019 at …