6th January 2014
By Bryan T. Smyth
news@TheCork.ie
The latest edition of the National Housing Construction Index compiled
and issued by Link2Plans (www.link2plans.com) shows that planning
applications are up in Cork. The figure for 2013 is -9%, up on the
2012 figure of -16%. Project commencements have also slowed
significantly, from +6% in 2012 to -13% in 2013.
The team of researchers at www.link2plans.com 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%) but project commencements were down even
further (-7%) since last year.
Cork reports a slight improvement in the number of planning
applications being made, despite the continuing negative figures. For
this period planning applications are down -9%. Applications made in
Cork decreased from 1625 in January to October 2012, to 1480 in the
same period in 2013. Compared to a decrease of -16% in applications
last year, the rate of decline is continuing but there are signs of
recovery. Counties which showed a major shift in performance since
last year are: Leitrim, which went from -1% in 2012 to -40% in 2013,
Sligo, which went from -5% in 2012 to -24% in 2013 and Roscommon which
went from -11% in 2012 to -18% in 2013. Kildare had the most positive
reversal in performance since last year, going from -35% in 2012 to
+11% in 2013.
Project commencements in Cork have shown significant deterioration on
last year’s figure. Commencements are currently at -13%, down on
2012’s figure of +6%. Commencement increases were seen in only six
counties, with Roscommon performing the best at a 52% increase in the
number of commencements compared to the same period for 2012.
Nationally, last year commencements were down -9% and with a -7%
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 project commencements in Cork could
have been down to the weather. However the improvements in the number
of planning applications being made, along with renewed economic
confidence, could see a real improvement on these figures in 2014.