Berkeley’s interim results show the firm’s pre-tax profits down 13% to £86 million for the six months to October 31. But its forward order book, which stands at £622.6 million, is an improvement on the same period last year (£574.9 million). And Berkeley’s sale of Crosby Homes to Lend Lease in July gave it a cash boost of £229.7 million – the lion’s share of the £326.4 million of cash generated in the six-month period. Chairman Roger Lewis said: “Berkeley has secured sales at a similar level to the corresponding period last year, in line with our business plan. This has enabled Berkeley to maintain its strong forward sales position at above £600 million. “Berkeley continues to acquire new sites, albeit very selectively, and to submit planning applications on our development sites. The planning regime remains slow and challenging in places, but we accept this as a consequence of the local democratic processes involved and welcome the growing understanding of the benefits urban regeneration can bring to existing communities.” Berkeley’s results are the first to be published under the new international financial reporting standards (IFRS), which will apply to listed housebuilders.