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Private housebuilder Gladedale is expected to report that profit in 2006 rose by more than half to about 拢90m.

Gladedale has been expanding rapidly over the past year, despite the fact that it has made any acquisitions.

The firm predicts that turnover will rise to about 拢680m, and Remo Dipre, the firm鈥檚 executive chairman, has made clear that he wants Gladedale to become one of the top 10 housebuilders in the UK. It is presently 12th in terms of turnover.

He said: 鈥漌e expect to report growth for 2006 at a similar rate as for 2005 and our strategy remains to maintain our growth, mainly organically, but we will consider acquisitions when the right opportunities arise.鈥�

In 2005 Gladedale reported a 拢62m pre-tax profit 鈥� up 48% compared with the previous year. Turnover rose 39% to 拢348m with 2,800 completions.

We have decided to adopt a unified brand to become a dominant player

David Gaffney, chief executive

Dipre and David Gaffney, Gladedale鈥檚 chief executive, have recently completed the restructuring of the company. Gaffney said: 鈥淎fter an in-depth review we have adapted a unified brand that will support our drive to becoming one of the dominant players in housebuilding.

鈥淲e believe that uniting our mainstream housebuilding activities under a single brand is pivotal to achieving our future growth aspirations.鈥�

The Gladedale brand will replace Bett Homes in Scotland, the north-east and north-west of England, Country & Metropolitan in the north-west of England, Yorkshire, the Midlands and the South, Furlong Homes in the London and the South, and Premier Homes in East Anglia.

Its affordable housing divisions, including North Country Homes, will be brought under the Primo brand. Dipre said that Primo homes will be aimed at the first-time buyer.