Featured Region: Wales

Underlying value of construction projects starting on site. (Excludes individual projects of more than £100 million and framework agreements).

Wales consists of the following Counties: Clwyd, Dyfed, Gwent, Gwynedd, Mid Glamorgan, Powys, South Glamorgan, West Glamorgan.

After a strong 2010, in which Wales took a step towards recovering from three years of weakness, the underlying value of project starts fell back last year. However, a slight recovery is expected this year – wiping out 2011’s losses.

The strength in private housing was a particularly abundant source of new work to the construction industry in Wales over 2010. After three consecutive years of decline, private housing grew by 24% over that year, and this was followed by a 7% increase in 2011.

Private non-residential construction was very strong in 2010. Every sector showed significant growth during last year: the underlying value of retail and hotel & leisure project starts increased by 119% and 297% respectively on the totals of 2009.

Unfortunately, 2011 saw underlying starts on site decline by 2%. This decline has bottomed out towards the end of the year – the final quarter of 2011 saw an 95% increase compared to the same period of 2010. The positive trend has continued into this year, albeit at a slower pace.