<p>The privately owned Gladedale Group has posted a record set of results for the year ending December 31 2005, with pre-tax profits up by 48% to £61.7 million on a turnover of £483.3 million – a 39% increase. Executive chairman Remo Dipre attributed the striking figures to the integration of Country &amp; Metropolitan, which was purchased in April 2005, along with “significant organic growth”which saw the firm “increase its geographic coverage and product mix, enabling [it] to respond to a more demanding house sales environment.”</p> <p>The group’s completions were up 50% to 2,801, while the average selling price (ASP) dropped from £186,000 (2004) to £173,000 – reflecting “a greater impact of more moderately priced units from several divisions, together with the inclusion of sales from North Country Homes, a major subsidiary within Country &amp; Metropolitan.”</p> <p>David Gaffney, former group md, has been appointed chief executive, and John Dipre has joined the board as group development director.</p> <p><b>HBF monthly survey results show that house prices continue to rise. But Savills is predicting a slower market over the next six months. Yolande Barnes, head of Savills Research, said: “ In the second half we anticipate more balanced market conditions and affordability issues …