by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Housebuilders have reported a jump in activity as first time buyers return to the market.

Persimmon Homes, with developments in Ashford, Medway, Ramsgate, Sheerness and West Malling, said the number of first-time buyers visiting its sites jumped 35% in the past quarter, encouraged by the Government's FirstBuy shared equity scheme.

Persimmon said weekly private sales from the start of September were 19% higher than the same period last year and it was taking "good levels" of reservations.

While the pick-up in first time buyer activity would cut the average selling price for the full year to £169,000, slightly lower than last year, the average price of private sales edged up from £188,300 to £190,000.

The Kent-based Bovis Group also reported increased sales, saying that the south was holding up better than the north.

Bovis of New Ash Green, near Gravesend, said its average selling price had risen 4.6% from £172,000 to £180,000.

Since July, net private reservations of 393 were up 29%. Visitors increased by 40%.

It expects to sell more than 2,000 homes this year. "The Group is on track to deliver legal completion volume for 2011 between 5% and 10% ahead of the prior year's 1,901 homes," it said.

Meanwhile, Persimmon welcomed the Government's National Planning Policy Framework, saying it would help increase housing supply and support economic growth and job creation.