There were 62 per cent fewer new buildings constructed in Westmeath in 2008 than in the previous year.
In 2008, there were 698 new builds recorded in the county, in sharp contrast with 2007 when 1,846 new buildings were identified, according to new figures release by GeoDirectory.
The buildings database identified 650 new residential buildings, 38 commercial buildings, and nine dual purpose buildings with both residential and commercial space constructed in county Westmeath during 2008. These new additions bring the total number of buildings in Westmeath to 36,716.
The reduction in Westmeath was more pronounced than in other counties. On a national level, 42,683 new buildings were identified across the country in 2008 representing a 56 per cent decrease on 2007 levels.
The greatest year-on-year fall was recorded in Cavan, where building decreased by 79 per cent between 2007 and 2008. Mayo, meanwhile, had almost as much building taking place during 2008 as in the previous year, with only a 21 per cent drop.
The highest concentration of new buildings recorded in 2008 occurred in Cork, where 4,975 were identified during the year. In contrast, Leitrim recorded the lowest number of additions with 697 buildings added to the GeoDirectory database between January and December 2008.
Commenting on the new figures, GeoDirectory general manager, Dara Keogh, said, “The largest decrease in building activity was recorded in the residential sector, which decreased year-on-year by 58 per cent in 2008. The rate of commercial property development fell by 16 per cent in 2008. These drops are measured against a record year in 2007 and reflect current market conditions. They represent a return to longer-term average construction levels.”
GeoDirectory was jointly established by An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland to create and manage Ireland’s only complete database of commercial and residential buildings. The figures were recorded by 5,600 An Post delivery staff working with experts from OSI. Figures for the first six months of 2009 will be released in early July.
