A HOUSEBUILDER remains free of any Brexit impasse because buyers “want to get on with their lives”, a senior company boss has revealed.

Persimmon’s Mike Killoran last night said strong customer desire to take the first rung on the property ladder is continuing to shield the builder from any EU-induced shocks.

The company, which has offices in Bowburn, near Durham City, has long benefited from good mortgage availability that has fuelled buyer clamour, and Mr Killoran, group finance director, said the situation is persisting.

Revealing its half-year financial results for the period to June 30 yesterday, he also said the confidence displayed by customers was, in turn, providing greater assurance for the firm to purchase more plots to keep the business’ forward land bank healthy.

According to its figures, pre-tax profit was up 30 per cent on a year ago to £457.4m, with revenue 12 per cent better off at £1.66bn.

Sales were eight per cent stronger at 7,794, while the firm’s average selling price increased four per cent to £213,262.

Beginning by responding to a question over whether Brexit has hit the housing sector, Mr Killoran told The Northern Echo: “Not yet would probably be the two words to use.

“The market has a lot to do with customer confidence and sentiment and customers are continuing to demonstrate they want to get on with their lives and get into the market or move somewhere with greater space.

“Those fundamentals remains alive and kicking in the market.”

The business, which has its headquarters in York, with further offices in Newcastle and Thornaby, near Stockton, revealed forward sales stood 15 per cent ahead at £2bn in the six-month period.

However, bosses also confirmed it had secured 9,319 new plots, bringing its consented land bank to 98,712 sites, which Mr Killoran said was a telling figure.

He added: “A good strong position gives us confidence to invest.

“We want to bring more sites through into development, so we can offer more choice to customers.

“Since 2012, we have invested more than £3bn in new land to support the growth of the business and we remain keen to continue investing to meet customer needs.”

Persimmon has developments in Shildon, County Durham, and Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, as well as a site in Shotton, near Peterlee, east Durham.