Dwelling permits down 26 p.c.

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33817, 14 April 1975, Page 22

Dwelling permits down 26 p.c.

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON

Permit issues for dwellings fell 26.1 per cent in January this year, compared with the previous January.

The value of building permits issued in January, 1975, I was 554.1 m, compared with $58.5m in January, 1974, says the Government Statistician.

The number of all types of i building projects covered by i these permits fell 820, to |5OOO. For the year ended Januiary, 1975, permits for all [buildings were issued to the value of $.lOBBlll. compared with $975m for the previous January year. Permits authorising the construction of 1683 new houses and flats, with an aggregate value of $29.3m, were issued during January, 1975, compared with permits for 2277 new houses and flats valued at $33.2m issued in January, 1974. The number of dwelling units for which permits were issued was thus 26.1 per cent lower in January, 1975, than in the previous January. For the year ended January, 1975, permits covering 34,380 new houses and flats were taken out, compared with 40,004 for the previous January year. FEWER FLATS

The proportion of flats decreased from 41.2 per cent to 37.0 per cent of all dwelling units for which permits were issued over the same period. For new buildings other than houses and flats, permits worth $16.6m were issued in January, 1975 ($16.7 million in January’, 1974). Fifty-eight permits valued at s2.Bm were issued for new commercial buildings during the month (82 valued at $7.3 million the previous January). Seventy five were for new factories, valued at $3.3m (79 worth $3.9m in January, 1974).

For alterations and additions to buildings other than houses and flats, permits worth s4m were issued in January, 1975 ($4.6m.). In January this year 2700 new dwellings were completed (2600 in January, 1974), making a total of 34,400 completions in the year ended January', 1975, compared with 31,000 for the previous year.