<p><span>Countryside Properties saw “strong" trading during the first quarter of its financial year, it said today (January 23).</span></p> <p><span>During the 13-week period from October 1 to December 31 2019, the mixed tenure developer achieved total completions of 1,097 homes against 1,094 in Q1 2019.</span></p> <p><span>At the same time, the homes’ private average selling price dipped slightly to £394,000 from last year’s £395,000.</span></p> <p><span>Countryside said its net reservation rate increased 29% to 0.81 against Q1 2019. This lift, driven by “a strong market along with the quality of open outlets”, spurred a 46% improvement in Countryside’s private forward order book on the previous year to £314 million.</span></p> <p><span>It is currently active on a total of 142 sites against Q1 2019’s 129.</span></p> <p><span>During the quarter, Countryside’s Housebuilding division delivered 242 completions, slightly down on the previous year’s 244 homes. It secured new options for 350 homes in Bedfordshire and 400 homes in Knebworth, Hertfordshire.</span></p> <p><span>The division also secured outline planning for 1,138 homes in Maldon, Essex and 750 homes in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire.</span></p> <p><span>Countryside’s Partnerships division achieved a total of 855 completions, a little up on the previous year’s 850, despite some delayed site starts, the business noted.</span></p> <p><span>Partnerships enjoyed a “very …