Construction activity falls in Leeds

CONSTRUCTION activity in Leeds has fallen 29% in 2012, according to new figures.

The Drivers Jonas Deloitte Crane Survey, which looks at five UK cities outside London, found Birmingham was the only city showing an increase in construction starts.

Activity fell 45% in Manchester while Edinburgh and Glasgow recorded no new starts at all. Across the cities activity fell 36%.

The survey, which takes place annually with data collected from July to August, monitors development activity across the office, retail, residential, student housing, education, leisure and hotel sectors.

Looking ahead, the 2012 survey shows that student housing schemes and education projects are still likely to be the most active sectors due to a drive by universities to attract fee paying students.