Trading Statement

Barratt Developments PLC
12 January 2007

                                        
                            BARRATT DEVELOPMENTS PLC
                                        
                                 TRADING UPDATE

                               12th January 2007

Barratt Developments PLC is today issuing a trading update for the 6 months to
31st December 2006, ahead of the Interim Results, which will be announced on
28th February 2007.

We are pleased to report a strong trading performance in the first half,
supported by further growth in legal completions with both an improved mix and
increased average selling prices.

Total completions increased by 2.9% to 7,206 (2005: 7,003) at an average selling
price of £165,000, (2005: £162,900*). Private completions were 4.0% higher at
5,791 (2005: 5,569), at an increased average selling price of £184,200, up 1.2%.
Social housing completions decreased by 1.3% to 1,415, at an average selling
price of £86,600, down 2% (2005: £88,400*) as a result of mix changes.

Whilst the competitiveness of the market and changes to our product mix
constrained average selling price growth, our continued focus on driving
improved overhead efficiencies through increased scale, and strict control of
build costs, should enable us to deliver a robust operating margin in the first
half, with pre-tax profits in line with management expectations.

We have continued to pursue an investment led organic growth strategy, which is
reflected in increasing completion rates, a strengthened land bank (up 11.9%)
and a record forward sales position (up 47%).

Our land bank has increased to c.70,500 plots (December 2005: 63,000), including
8,000 plots (December 2005: 7,000 plots) agreed subject to contract. This
equates to 4.8 years' supply at 2005/6 volumes (December 2005: 4.3 years). As
already indicated to the market, the continued investment in land and work in
progress has resulted in the business running higher average gearing levels. At
the half year borrowings were £224 million and average gearing was 17% in the
period.

Against the backdrop of a competitive but stable market, with good buyer
confidence, we have delivered a strong sales performance in the first half. As a
result of improved sales rates, total reservations are now 25% better than a
year ago with forward sales at 31st December 2006 of c. £1,030m (2005: £700m).
Taking account of completions to date and those forward sales expected to
complete in the second half, we have now secured over 70% of the year's expected
volumes.

With the key spring selling period still ahead of us, it is clearly too early to
be certain of market trends for the rest of the year. However, the fundamentals
of the housing market remain sound and we expect it to continue to perform
satisfactorily over the coming 6 months. The strength of our forward sales, our
national geographic spread and product range, combined with our urban
regeneration and social housing expertise, leaves us well placed for the future.

* The average selling price for social housing completions for the 6 months to
31st December 2005 has been adjusted to exclude the revenue received in the
period in respect of stage payments for the land element of units which were not
physically completed, to be consistent with the treatment in the 6 months to
31st December 2006. This had a negligible profit impact in the 6 months to 31
December 2005 and no profit impact for the year ended 30th June 2006.

Enquiries:-          

Barratt Developments PLC                             Weber Shandwick Square Mile
Mark Clare, Chief Executive/                         Chris Lynch/
Mark Pain, Finance Director                          Terry Garrett
Tel: [phone]                                   Tel: [phone]

Note to editors:

Barratt Developments PLC is Britain's best-known house builder and has built
more homes in the last decade than any other.

We have a network of 6 regions and 33 divisions operating throughout Britain. We
directly employ over 4,400 people including 550 apprentices and 50 graduate
trainees.

Our developments span the length and breadth of Britain developing on over 450
sites, helping to meet housing demand in towns, cities and rural areas. Barratt
is at the forefront of urban regeneration with over 80% of our developments
utilising brownfield land. We are also one of Britain's leading suppliers of
social housing.







                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
               ZGNZM