A LEADING housebuilder says it has plans to construct new homes across Yorkshire in 2017, including sites in York and parts of North and East Yorkshire.

Persimmon Homes Yorkshire said it planned to continue building in locations in the region which included Selby, Norton, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Wilberfoss, Easingwold, Pickering, Harrogate, Ripon and Knaresborough.

Managing director Simon Usher said 2016 had been “an excellent year for the business”.

He added: “Our legal completions across the UK increased by 599 new homes to 15,171 and sales throughout the autumn season were very healthy.

“Going into 2017, we have already forward sold many homes. The value of our forward sales at December 31, 2016, was about £1,230 million, which is 12 per cent ahead of where we were last year (£1,103 million).

“Our focus for the region in 2017 is to continue to deliver the types of homes required by people looking to get onto the property ladder and families looking to move up and grow.

“The Government’s hugely successful Help to Buy scheme is supporting many people looking to purchase, by ensuring they only require a five per cent deposit.

“Our marketing suites at every development have a dedicated sales advisor who can talk people through the buying process and help them make the right move,” he said.

Mr Usher was speaking after the national Persimmon Group, which has its headquarters in York, gave a trading update which revealed its revenues in 2016 were £3.14 billion, eight per cent higher than in the previous year, when they were £2.9 billion.

Its average selling price had gone up by four per cent to about £206,700, compared with £199,127 in 2015.

The company has also said that its “hugely successful” Community Champions programme would continue in 2017.

The Press reported last month that more than £1 million has now been donated to good causes.

Small groups, organisations and charities in the York area can apply for a donation by visiting persimmonhomes.com/charity.

Persimmon is also recruiting across every region to support its building programme. A full list of current job vacancies at Persimmon Homes Yorkshire can be found by visiting persimmonjobs.com