Stratford tops home improvement tables

PEOPLE in the Stratford-on-Avon district are more likely to make improvements to their homes than anywhere else in the West Midlands, according to figures recently released.

Residents are more than twice as likely than the average person in the West Midlands to put an extension on their house, convert their garage, or do some other form of home improvement.

In 2012 there were 2.7 home improvement applications for every 100 private homes in Stratford, compared to the West Midlands average of 1.22. The national average is 1.64.

“It may come as little surprise that Stratford tops the home improvements league in the West Midlands. Not only is it regarded as one of the more attractive parts of the region, but also residents there are among the best paid,” says Adam Valentine of Barbour ABI, who conducted the research.

Malvern Hills came second in the table for the West Midlands, and Shropshire came third. Warwick came fourth, with two applications for every 100 private homes.