The latest edition of the National Housing Construction Index compiled and issued by Link2Plans (www.link2plans.com ) shows a false construction recovery evident in Mayo after the rate of commencements plunged since last year. Last year Mayo reported the second highest increase in commencements at 20 per cent compared to this year where it fell by three per cent. The rate of decline in the number of applications slowed somewhat from a fall of -24 per cent last year to -17 per cent.
The team of researchers at www.link2plans.com have examined every housing construction planning application and planning commencement from January to August 2013, in the production of the National Housing Construction Index. The index gives a direct comparison with the same period in 2012. Viewed on a nationwide basis, the National Housing Construction Index reveals there is a decrease in planning applications (six per cent ) but project commencements were down even further (-10 per cent ) since last year.
The rate of construction commencement in Mayo fell by three per cent, from 121 in January to August 2012, to 116 in the same period in 2013. Compared to a increase of 20 per cent in commencements last year, the rate of decline of commencements has plunged. Among other factors, this may be a result of an increased decline in planning applications last year that fell -24 per cent. Mayo continues to see a decline in the rate of planning applications this year (-17 per cent ) and therefore this may add to a further decline in commencements.
According to the managing director of Link2Plans, Danny O’Shea, the index shows that there is an overall trend of falling planning applications but the rate of decline is less pronounced than last year and this may be a positive contributory factor leading to an increase or at least a further slowdown in the decline of commencements. However the steady decline in the rate of planning applications in Mayo means that we may expect to see a further decline in the rate of commencements later in the year.
