<p>Sales of new homes are up 25% at Bellway.</p> <p>The firm completed the sale of 3,245 homes in the six months to the end of January 2014 against 2,597 last year. In a trading statement to the City on Tuesday February 11, Bellway stressed that the board expects that the rate of volume growth will be more heavily weighted to this first half of the financial year. Housing revenue in the period increased to £690 million, 41% up on last year, while reservations rose to 137 per week from 224 outlets (2013: 97 from 215).</p> <p>The firm says it has benefited from continued strength in the UK housing market, supported by strong consumer demand together with more widespread access to affordable mortgage finance largely driven by Help to Buy. Bellway has opened two new divisions and has increased the rate of construction to respond to the improving conditions.</p> <p>Bellway says it should achieve an operating margin in excess of 15% for the first six months of the financial year. </p>