Driving forces for environmental change: Housing permissions

What is the trend in permissions for housing development?

Between 2006 and 2007 planning permissions granted for housing increased by nine per cent, growing at a slower rate than the 15 per cent of the previous year.

In 2007, 90 per cent of dwelling permissions were for apartments, which increased by four per cent over the previous year.

Between 2006 and 2007 permissions granted for terraced houses decreased by 31 per cent, followed by maisonettes, which decreased by 25 per cent. Dwelling permissions continued to exceed total applications for development permission in 2007, due to the increasing trend for development applications to involve multiple dwelling units. Indeed, while dwelling permissions continued to increase in 2007, the total number of applications has remained relatively stable since 2005.

Source: Mepa Dwellings Database

Environmental tip: Choose a living space that is appropriate to your needs at the particular stage of life that you are in.