New figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) have revealed an increase in the amount of successful planning permissions for properties in 2016.

Last year, approval was given for 16,375 dwelling units, up 26% from 2015.

In addition, planning permissions for all developments rose 21% to 21,099, while 12,481 houses were also granted permission, up 22% on 2015 and the highest figure since 2009.

-- Advertisement --

CSO Statistician, Mary Heanue, said a total of 5,586 square metres of floor area was planned last year.

"Of this, 46% was for new dwellings, 37% for other new constructions and 17% for extensions ," she said. "The total floor area planned increased by 15% in comparison with 2015."

Other key highlights include:

• Permissions granted for 3,894 apartment units in 2016, compared with 2,794 units in 2015, an increase of 39%

• The number of multi-development houses granted permission was 8,251 compared with 6,658 in 2015 (+24%)

• One-off houses accounted for a quarter of all new dwelling units granted planning permission in 2016

• Planning Permissions for new buildings for agriculture increased to 1,741 this year from 1,029 permissions in 2015, an increase of 70%.

(LM/JP)