The National Housing Construction Index compiled and issued by Link2Plans shows Mayo is continuing to experience a recovery in the residential construction sector with the project commencements increasing and planning applications only down slightly in the first eight months of 2014. When compared to the same period in 2013, project commencements in Mayo are up more than 60 per cent while the number of new planning applications are down by just around one per cent.
Nationally, growth in the residential construction sector also remained strong. When viewed on a nationwide basis, compared to the same period in 2013, project commencements were up by just around 40 per cent while the number of new planning applications were up by 12 per cent. The data contained in the National Housing Construction Index is aggregated by consultancy Link2Plans from real time planning and project information in every local authority area.
Strong gains for project commencements
Project commencements in Mayo increased from 119 in January to August 2013, to 190 for the same period in 2014, which represented an increase of 60 per cent and the second largest increase in the country.
According to Danny O’Shea, managing director of Link2Plans: “The 60 per cent year on year increase in project commencements for Mayo is an extremely strong result and is good news for the residential construction sector.”
Planning applications in Mayo decreased slightly from 214 in January to August 2013, to 211 for the same period in 2014, which represented a decrease of one per cent.
The National Housing Construction Index is produced by a team of researchers at Link2Plans and it relates to all planning applications and project commencements throughout the months of January to August 2014, and gives a direct comparison with the same period in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Link2Plans has produced this index bi-monthly and it has been the most accurate barometer of real time sentiment (planning applications ) and actual residential construction activity (project commencements ) including residential developments (multi units ), one-off housing (self-build ), and one-off housing extensions.
