CSO planning permissions data points to impact of uncertainty on future housing supply

Property Industry Ireland (PII), the Ibec group for businesses working in the property sector, said today’s housing data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows that uncertainty around the planning system is having an impact on the pipeline for new houses.  

PII Director, Dr. David Duffy stated: "Looking at planning permissions as a lead indicator of future supply the data for the first nine months of 2021 suggests that the gap between supply and demand will remain for the short term, at least.

“Given the National Planning Framework and the Climate Action Plan objective of more compact living it is concerning to see the growth in permission for one-off housing relative to multi-development housing and apartments.

“The high risk of a planning permission for a large residential development being appealed and overturned, coupled with the wait for the new Large-scale Residential Developments process to come into operation has lead to a slowdown in planning applications. It is important for future housing supply that any reform of Judicial Review procedures and planning legislation happens quickly and reduces uncertainty within the planning system.”