Fewer residential building permits issued

The number of building permits issued in the first quarter of 2007 declined by 23 percent compared to last year’s first quarter. For the second consecutive quarter, fewer permits were issued. The number of houses finished in the first quarter of 2007 fell by 16 percent.

Residential building first quarter

More than 18 thousand building permits issued

In the first quarter of 2007, more than 18 thousand residential building permits were issued, a reduction by more than 5 thousand relative to the same period last year. The only provinces to issue more permits were North Brabant, Gelderland, Groningen and Flevoland. The most substantial reductions were recorded in the provinces of North Holland (–3.0 thousand) and Utrecht (–1.4 thousand), notably in Amsterdam and Utrecht.

Building permits issued

Fewer dwellings completed

In the first quarter of this year, 10 thousand new dwellings were completed, a reduction by more than 2 thousand relative to the first quarter of 2006. In all provinces save North Brabant (359) and Groningen (46), fewer houses were finished in the first quarter of 2007 than in the same period last year. The most substantial reduction in the number of dwellings completed was registered in Limburg (–566) and Utrecht (–548).

Dwellings completed

Growing stock of unfinished dwellings

By the end of March 2007, the stock of unfinished dwellings was over 177 thousand, an increase by 11 percent on one year previously. The stock of houses nearing completion has grown across all provinces. The most significant increase is found in South Holland.

Stock of unfinished dwellings

Cees Steijn