House planning applications rise in 11 counties

House planning applications are down nationally by 3% yet 11 counties show significant increases, with Co Dublin revealing a rise of 15%, the latest National Housing Construction Index reveals.

Only Co Donegal had a growing number of planning applications according to a previous analysis of the period of January to October last year.

The latest analysis period, January to February, shows a marked increase in 11 counties including Dublin, with Roscommon (65%), Leitrim (67%), and Monaghan (75%) having the largest percentage increases. Offaly (-48%), Limerick (-39%) and Wexford (-36%) saw the largest percentage drop in applications.

Link2Plans, which compiled and issued the index using information from local authorities, said that while there had been a decrease in planning applications, there were signs of improvement.

Danny O’Shea, managing director and co-founder of Link2Plans, said that, viewed collectively, the findings highlight that while there has been a fall in planing applications, it was marginal.

“With increases in 11 counties, the outlook for the coming months is potentially positive,” he said.

The latest index also suggests that the continued decline in housing construction activity across the country between January and February this year might be due to bad weather conditions.

While building commencement notices fell nationally by 14%, five counties showed an increase, including Dublin where there was a 17% rise.

Those showing the largest growth during the period were Monaghan (20%), Mayo (60%), and Roscommon (78%).

Counties where the number of commencements was significantly below the national average were Westmeath (-79%), Waterford (-55%), and Cavan (-52%).

Mr O’Shea said he did not see the fall in commencements as a cause for alarm at this stage because the weather was a key factor and the reason why many projects had yet to get off the ground.

The index shows planning applications in Tipperary and Kerry fell by around a quarter during the two-month period. Applications were down 15% in Clare and 4% in Cork. Applications rose 14% in Waterford.

Building commencements were down by 45% in Clare, 42% in Limerick, 37% in Tipperary, 36% in Cork, and 4% in Kerry.

Link2Plans examines every housing construction planning application and planning commencement on a bi-monthly basis.