The number of new homes being registered across the region hit its highest levels since 2007 last year.

A total of 13,478 homes were registered in the West Midlands, which was a rise of nine per cent compared to 2014, according to an industry body.

The National House Building Council (NHBC) said the figures represented an eight-year high, with a total of 156,140 across the UK.

Mike Quinton, the NHBC’s chief executive, said: “We have seen encouraging levels of house-building across most regions of the country.

“The detached home continues its resurgence, with our figures showing that house builders are building the highest number of detached properties for over a decade, with semi-detached homes also at their highest level in more than 20 years.

“There is still a way to go before we are building the levels of new homes that were seen before the economic downturn, but 2015 represents consolidation on the growth seen over the last three years.”

The NHBC is a warranty and insurance provider and its registration figures are taken from builders who are responsible for around 80 per cent of homes constructed in the UK.

Builders are required to register a house with the NHBC before starting work, which means its figures represent homes that are to be built in the months ahead.

The NHBC said that 42,173 detached homes were registered during 2015, while 35,423 semi-detached homes were also registered.

The proportion of detached and semi-detached new-build homes being registered has been growing in recent years, while the proportion of new flats being registered has been shrinking. The industry has said the change reflects the demand for more family homes.

In 2015, flats and maisonettes accounted for just 31 per cent of all new-build properties registered, down from nearly half (48 per cent) in 2008.

Last year, 27 per cent of new homes being registered were detached, while 23 per cent were semi-detached, 17 per cent were terraced and two per cent were bungalows.

Nine out of 12 UK regions recorded annual growth in the number of new-build homes being registered. London saw a 9 per cent year-on-year decline, although this follows a strong recovery in the capital in recent years.

The number of new-builds being registered was up year-on-year by 15 per cent in Scotland, by eight per cent in South East England, by 23 per cent in Eastern England, by 16 per cent in the North West and by nine per cent in the South West.

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis said: “Today’s figures are good news for anyone who works hard and aspires to own their own home. We’ve got the country building again and our efforts are paying off with the number of new homes registered across the UK hitting its highest levels since 2007.

“We’re working closely with housebuilders to ensure they have the skills needed to build even more homes hard-working people want and our initiatives like Help to Buy have helped nearly 270,000 people to buy since 2010.”