Planning permission slumps 35.7pc in second quarter

The amount of planning permission granted for new dwellings slumped 35.7pc during the second quarter of 2009 compared the same quarter in 2008, figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) have shown, giving some indication of the current difficulties facing the construction industry.

According to the CSO data, planning permissions were granted for 12,831 dwellings in the second quarter of 2009, a notable decrease from the 19,942 dwellings granted permission during the same quarter in 2008. This represents a decline of 35.7%.

Decline in Planning Permissions for Houses and Apartments

The figures reveal that the number of planning permissions granted for houses saw a significant drop of 38.6% in the second quarter of 2009, with permission granted for 7,739 houses. Similarly, the number of permissions granted for apartment units fell by 30.7% to 5,092 units during the same period.

The CSO data highlights that one-off houses accounted for 17.4% of all new dwelling units granted planning permission in the second quarter of 2009. This indicates a preference for individual, custom-built homes during this period.

Overall Decrease in Planning Permissions for Developments

The total number of planning permissions granted for all developments, including dwellings and other constructions, was 6,756 in the second quarter of 2009. This number represents a significant decrease of 39.8% compared to the 11,215 permissions granted in the same quarter of 2008.

Decrease in Planned Floor Area

The total amount of floor area planned during the second quarter of the year fell by 39.1pc when compared to the same quarter a year previous. Of the 2.9 million square metres planned in the second quarter of 2009, 60.3pc of this was for new dwellings, 30pc was for other new constructions and 9.7pc was for extensions, the CSO said.