IN A PRESS release issued earlier today, the Cyprus Statistical Service (CYSTAT) announced that the number of building permits authorized by the Municipal Authorities and the District Administration Offices during May 2010 was 761, comprising:
- Residential buildings – 577 permits
- Non-residential buildings – 108 permits
- Civil engineering projects – 33 permits
- Road construction – 6 permits
- Division of plots of land – 37 permits
Focusing on the 577 permits issued for the construction of residential buildings, these were approved for 1,337 dwelling units – 514 single houses and 823 multiple housing units such as apartments. Compared to the May 2009 total of 1,191 dwelling units, this represents an increase of 12.3%.
Between January and May 2010 building permits were issued for the construction of 7,252 residential properties. Compared to the same period last year, when permits were issued for the construction of 6,996 residential units; an increase of 3.7%.
According to the Cyprus Statistical Service, building permits constitute a leading indicator of future activity in the construction sector.
@Curmudgeon
One of the problems we have interpreting these figures is that developers submit building permit applications after they have completed construction.
Sometimes this results from them building illegally in the first place – and sometimes they submit revised applications for what are known as ‘cover’ permits which show the property as it has been built as opposed to how it was originally planned to be built.
From the figures published by the Statistical Service we can only say that the number of permits authorised have gone up (or down). We cannot say whether they have been issued for developments already built or not.
Beggars belief that the 62.45% of permits are for multiple housing units thus adding to the bight of thousands of flats and apartments unsold. What a blot on the Republics landscape.
How about stopping all domestic permits until the Title Deeds backlog has been cleared up. Why issue more permits when the earlier developments are incomplete. Obviously, don’t penalise new developers; make the permit subject to conditions.
Jeremy Clarkson and his team have a salute that depicts precisely what the planners are.