Increase in planning permissions welcomed

Responding to the latest CSO release on planning permissions, Dr David Duffy, Director of Property Industry Ireland (PII), the Ibec group for businesses working in the property sector, commented: 

“The increase in planning permissions to over 10,000 units in the third quarter is a positive indicator of activity in the residential construction market. This is the first time permissions have reached over 10,000 units since the second quarter of 2009.”
 
“Much of the increase reflects growth in permissions for apartment units and this is welcome. In contrast, permissions for scheme houses is marginally down. This may well reflect policy uncertainty during 2019 regarding extensions to the Help-to-Buy scheme and the fast-track planning process.”

“Uncertainty regarding future policy impacts on the rental market could impact on the delivery of these apartments. At a time when we need to make more homes available to rent and halt the exodus of existing landlords from the market, the introduction of a rent freeze bill will deter supply and could result in the problems of supply and affordability in the rental sector becoming worse.”