Key policy question: What is the trend in permissions for housing development?

Trends in permissions granted for housing provide a snapshot of the pressures on land resources from construction in the housing sector.

Between 2007 and 2008 the number of permissions granted for new dwellings fell by 40 per cent, from the 11,343 dwellings permitted in 2007 to 6,836 in 2008, most likely reflecting the economic climate.

A decrease in total number of applications was also registered. Nevertheless, the number of dwelling units permitted continues to heavily exceed the annual increase in need for new dwellings, which may be estimated at 1,800 to 2,000 dwelling units on the basis of new households formed per year.1

It is worth noting in this context that the last Census 2 identified that 22.4 per cent of the total housing stock was permanently vacant in 2005.

Policy responses: Mepa uses specific planning policies that seek to encourage the redevelopment of existing buildings.

The Environment Report seeks to increase awareness and understanding of key environmental issues and trends, to provide a sound evidence base for policy and decision-making, and to facilitate the measurement of environmental performance and progress towards sustainability. For more information visit www.mepa.org.mt/ter.

References

1 PA (Planning Authority). 2001. Demography Topic Paper, Final Draft May 2001, PA, Floriana. This estimate has lately been further substantiated by the fact that between the 1995 and the 2005 Census, the number of households grew by 17 per cent or 20,000 households (2,000 per year). See NSO (National

Statistics Office). 2007. Census of Population and Housing 2005, Volume 1: Population, NSO, Valletta. ( http://nso.gov.mt/statdoc/document_file.aspx?id=2048 , accessed on November 4, 2009).

2 NSO (National Statistics Office). 2007. Census of Population and Housing 2005: Volume 2 Dwellings, NSO, Valletta. ( http://nso.gov.mt/statdoc/document_file.aspx?id=2096 , accessed on November 4, 2009).