Planning applications drop by almost a quarter

A new housing index shows that the number of planning applications made during January and February this year has dropped by 23% compared to the same period last year.

The study also reveals that the number of houses being built at the start of the year was down by 14% overall since last year.

The findings come from an online portal which can track current housing projects in real time, called Link2Plans.com.

Managing Director of Link2Plans.com, Danny O'Shea, has said most building activity now is around house extensions and renovations, rather than new one-off housing.