The number of sales made to first time buyers rose significantly in September, according to the latest figures released by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA).


Buyers taking their first step on the housing ladder accounted for 29 per cent of all sales in September, compared to 20 per cent in August – the highest since May this year.


This is despite less prospective buyers walking into estate agencies than the previous month, with an average of just 342 compared to 408 in August.


The number of properties available to buy also dropped, but only marginally, down to 37 in September from 38 the month before.


The Gazette spoke to Mark Hayward, Managing Director of the National Association of Estate Agents, to find out why first time buyers were on the increase.


He said: "We’re seeing a whole range of new competitive mortgage products coming on to the market, which is likely to be encouraging first-steppers to take the plunge, as well as the fact that the interest rate rise has now been pushed back to next year at the very earliest.


"However, in order to ensure there is enough affordable housing on the market for first time buyers, we need the issue of supply and demand to be addressed in a big way. 


"Until substantial numbers of new houses are built, we won’t see every first time buyer reach the bottom rung of the ladder."


Mr Hayward praised the extension of the Right to Buy Scheme, but wants to see more replacement properties built, something Peter Thornton, leader of South Lakeland District Council is adamant about.


Cllr Thornton said: "We have a housing crisis across the United Kingdom and the latest proposals to sell off yet more of our stock of social housing can only make it worse.


"It’s time we stood up for public housing. There are some politicians who would dearly like to see it become a mere backstop for the poorest in our society – just one step above the old workhouse, with private landlords providing most of the rental stock.


"I don’t believe this. I believe that a good stock of publicly owned housing, is necessary in order to give balance to the market.


"We need social housing, private landlords and private ownership to each have a part in South Lakeland’s housing market."