Construction levels in UK regional cities have hit record levels according to the Deloitte Real Estate Crane Survey

The survey shows significant increases in activity in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Belfast.

The Birmingham Crane Survey identifies 1.4m sq ft of new office space under construction – a 50% increase on the previous year (969,000 sq ft).

- The surge signals the highest level of activity since this crane report was first published in 2002.

Birmingham has also witnessed a 10-fold increase in residential schemes starting construction last year, totalling 2,331 units in the city centre.

Manchester’s city centre has a record 22 residential projects breaking ground on site last year.

- This was eight more than the previous high of 14 in 2007 and is scheduled to deliver nearly 7,000 units to the market.

The Northern Powerhouse’s skyline continues to evolve with the addition of four residential towers over 25 storeys high, all now under construction.

- This includes the UK’s tallest residential tower, marking a new era for the Manchester housing market.

Leeds saw 20 major construction schemes complete in 2016, including the highest level of office space (over 700,000 sq ft) delivered to market since 2007, and the city also recorded six new office starts in this survey.

- Retail was dominant in Leeds as the delivery of new shopping areas doubled the average annual total of retail space with nearly 600,000 sq ft brought forward in 2016.

Simon Bedford, local government development partner at Deloitte Real Estate, said:

“The results of our four crane surveys reflect the growth and resurgence in the regions, breaking records set more than a decade ago.

“Sentiment towards city centre development is buoyant with residential rising to new levels, quite literally in Manchester, with the addition of towers that will alter the city skyline.

“The unparalleled scale and volume of development in the regions prompted us to monitor a further city.

“Belfast’s development pipeline is in good shape and we expect to see even more cranes there in 2017.

“All sectors are active and we conclude that our regional cities are delivering growth and investment at levels not witnessed for many years.”

Source: Construction Enquirer

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