Positive outlook for Dublin construction work

NEW buildings and planning applications are increasing in Dublin according to two separate reports published last month.

The number of new buildings in Dublin was up by 13 per cent in the first half of 2013 according to GeoDirectory, who manage Ireland’s only database of commercial and residential buildings.

The company say there were 441 new buildings recorded in the capital between January and June compared to 388 for the same period last year.

Dublin is faring well compared to the rest of the country where there was a decrease of 25 per cent was recorded.

The new buildings identified in Dublin consist of 345 residential buildings, 92 commercial buildings and four dual-purpose buildings with both residential and commercial elements.

The new additions bring the total number of buildings in Dublin to 410,225 while the vacancy rate for new buildings in Dublin stands at six per cent, compared to 9.5 per cent nationally.

GeoDirectory CEO, Dara Keogh, says that while national figures are declining there are positive indicators.

“An increase in additional buildings on this time last year is recorded in six counties,

? he said.

“Furthermore, the new figures identified a vacancy rate in new buildings nationally of 9.5 per cent which is a marked improvement on the 12 per cent vacancy rate recorded in June 2012.

?

Meanwhile, the latest edition of the National Housing Construction Index show that Dublin has the second highest planning applications increase and the third highest percentage increase in commencements this year.

A team of researchers from Link2Plans compiled the index after examining every housing construction planning application and planning commencement from January to June 2013.

The Index gives a direct comparison with the exact same period in 2012 and shows that in Dublin planning commencements increased by nine per cent from 557 in January to June 2012 to 605 in the same period in this year.

Also planning applications made in Dublin increased by seven per cent from 113 in January to June 2012, to 110 in the same period in 2013.

Link2Plans say the outlook is positive for particular pockets around the country that are experiencing an increase in commencements and applications.

Although planning applications and commencements were down by 10 per cent and 14 per cent nationally, four counties, including Dublin, show significant increases in planning applications.

Managing Director of Link2Plans, Danny O’Shea, says the index shows that there is an overall trend of falling planning applications that is more pronounced than previous reports, which is a major contributory factor leading to a fall in commencements.

“However Dublin has seen one of the highest increases in planning applications and this suggests that it may expect to see an increase of commencements in the near future,

? he continued.

“The Link2Plans team have seen significant changes in activity throughout the country which in part can be explained by the weather conditions in the first few months of 2013.

“There are, however, clear signs that the growth in residential construction activity is being felt in Dublin and other counties are still some way back.

“It will be interesting to see if the dry weather experienced throughout June and July will see the next edition of the index, register an increase in project commencements.

?