Chairman's AGM Statement - Group in 'Great Shape'

Redrow Group PLC 8 November 1999 REDROW GROUP plc 1999 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - MONDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 1999 At the Annual General Meeting held today, Redrow Chairman, Steve Morgan made the following statement. It is 25 years almost to the day since Redrow commenced trading. It seems appropriate therefore that I am able to report that the Group is in great shape and continues to make excellent progress during the current financial year. The housing market remains buoyant throughout most of the country with all our housing subsidiaries reporting strong demand. There has been a modest growth in the number of reservations taken in the year to date, although completions will be controlled in line with the Group's ability to grow its land bank. The average selling price has continued to rise in line with the trend announced in the preliminary statement, due in the main to the growth of the southern regional companies and house price inflation. I have said on many occasions that I do not foresee a return of the boom bust days of the past and that our industry is set for a more stable future. The recent increase in interest rates by the Bank of England is to be welcomed and should be seen as a positive action in preventing the housing market from overheating. Another critical factor in house price inflation remains the issue of land supply. Until the Government takes positive steps to speed up the planning process on both brownfield and greenfield sites house price inflation will remain an issue. It is impossible for the industry to meet the increasing demand for new homes if the supply of land, its main raw material, is choked back. Nevertheless, thanks to our conservative long term land policy, I remain confident of our ability to source the Group's land requirements despite the planning barriers which face our industry. I am justifiably proud of Redrow's growth record over the last 25 years and indeed during its time as a public company. Our trading experience in the financial year to date gives me every confidence in our ability to maintain growth both this financial year and for the foreseeable future.

Companies

Redrow (RDW)
UK 100

Latest directors dealings