THE latest edition of the National Housing Construction Index shows that planning applications are down in Donegal.
Figures, compiled and issued by Link2Plans, are down to -2 per cent on last year’s +17 per cent. On a brighter note project commencements have seen an improvement and are up from -27 per cent in 2012 to -9 per cent in 2013.
The team of researchers at Link2Plans have examined every housing construction planning application and planning commencement from January to October 2013, in the production of the National Housing Construction Index.
The Index gives a direct comparison with the exact same period in 2012. Viewed on a nationwide basis, the National Housing Construction Index reveals there is a decrease in planning applications (-5 per cent) but project commencements were down even further (-7 per cent) since last year.
Donegal reports a significant decline in the number of planning applications being made. For this period planning applications are down -2 per cent. Applications made in Donegal decreased from 997 in January to October 2012, to 982 in the same period in 2013. Compared to a increase of +17 per cent in applications last year, this is a significant deterioration.
Project commencements in Donegal are however on the up, going from -27 per cent in 2012 to -9 per cent in 2013. Commencement increases were seen in only six counties, with Roscommon performing the best at a 52 per cent increase in the number of commencements compared to the same period for 2012.
Nationally, last year commencements were down -9 per cent and with a -7 per cent decrease this year, so improvements can be seen.
According to the Managing Director of Link2Plans, Danny O’Shea, the index shows that the decline in the number of planning applications being made in Donegal in 2013 is in huge contrast to the 2012 figure. This being said, the fluctuation may be simply explained by economic uncertainty, which is likely to ease in 2014.
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