Shares in Henry Boot (BHY) jumped over 6 per cent after the construction, property and land development group delivered a 79 per cent rise in first-half operating profits to £14m. Turnover was down, but that's because the prior-year numbers were boosted by the £15m one-off sale of land at the chocolate factory site in York.
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The principle trading arm is Hallam Land, which buys land and brings it through the planning process ready for sale to builders. Progress here was boosted by more favourable planning procedures. This pushed the number of win consents to over 40 sites, covering around 500 acres. The group now holds 10,845 units with planning consent.