Last year in the East of England, 15,190 homes were started by private house builders, the public sector and housing associations.

Based on the findings of a new report from the House Builders Federation (HBF), the increased level of housing output would have resulted in the following benefits to the East of England region:

- 65,317 jobs were supported

- 608 graduates and apprentices positions were created

- 653,170 new trees or shrubs were planted

- £24,410,330 was contributed towards education in the area

- £19,534,340 in extra council tax revenue was generated plus £151,900,000 in other tax contributions

- £14,217,840 towards new open spaces, community spaces or sports facilities, or enhancing existing resources was paid to Local Authorities

- 3,494 new affordable homes were built

- Payments of £336,352,170 were made to local authorities for further provision of new affordable homes

In 2014 in Hertfordshire, 2,080 homes were started. This level of build would support 8,944 jobs and contribute £3.3m towards education, £20.8m in tax contributions, 478 affordable homes and payments of £46m to local authorities for further provision of new affordable homes - and result in the planting of 89,440 trees.

However, if Hertfordshire were to build enough homes, that being an additional 3,109 homes, the industry could contribute an extra 13,368 jobs and contribute £4.9m towards education, £31m in tax, 715 affordable homes and payments of £68.8m to local authorities for affordable homes - and result in the planting of 133,678 trees.

Stewart Baseley, executive chairman at HBF, said: “House building makes a huge, but largely hidden, social and economic contribution to Hertfordshire. Whilst housing output in the East of England has increased, we are still not delivering anywhere near what is needed nationally. As well as delivering desperately needed new homes, increasing housing supply would provide significant additional benefits for everyone through additional jobs, investment in infrastructure and facilities for communities

“People often don’t realise that the new community centre, school or sports facilities have been funded directly as a result of housing developments. Ultimately, providing new homes for people also means better facilities for the wider community. These are the very things that turn a collection of houses into communities; brand new places where people want to live.”