During the timeframe, the housebuilder saw an underlying private reservation rate of 0.53 per week, slightly below last year’s 0.57. 

The housebuilder saw net private reservations of 243 per week including joint ventures (JV), compared with 228 in the previous year.

In the period, home completions, including JVs, were 3,223, showing a 12.1% decrease from the comparable period total of 3,665 homes.

The forward order book, including JVs, amounted to 11,086 homes valued at £3,315.4 million, up from 10,669 homes in the previous year. At present, the housebuilder is 56% forward sold for FY27 private completions.

Dean Banks, chief executive, said: “Our trading performance in the first 17 weeks of the financial year has been resilient against a backdrop of challenging market conditions, with continued pressure on affordability.

“While the underlying private reservation rate has been softer, we have seen stronger demand from the private rental sector.

“Over the past two months, I have been working closely with colleagues, customers and suppliers to understand our strengths and our opportunities.”

Banks added: “I have seen first-hand the quality of our people, their commitment to excellence and the passion they bring every day. 

“There is much to build on, and I look forward to sharing more in due course.

“We welcome the Government’s ‘Your First Home’ scheme and its support for first-time buyers. Alongside planning reform, the scheme has the potential, over time, to support increased housing delivery.”