Increasing optimism within the construction industry says Barbour ABI

Online, August 28, 2009 (Newswire.com) - When comparing figures for May, June and July to the previous three months, planning application numbers have increased by 10.6%. It's also worth noting that 51,879 applications were submitted this July - the highest level since July 2008.

Barbour ABI is the only company to report on every new building project in the UK, enhancing and tracking planning application and public tender information. Our core business is utilising our construction contracts database to supply industry professionals with analysis and construction project leads for future planned work.

Adam Valentine, Research Director, says: "These figures indicate that more work is likely to be available to all involved in the construction industry over the next two years than was thought at any point during the last 12 months. We are seeing steady growth in application numbers and in July the highest number of submissions were recorded since this time last year. Combine this with other recent indicators and it seems that while there is still a long way to go to return to previous levels, modest increases in construction work opportunities will be welcomed by all."