IN A PRESS release issued earlier today, the Cyprus Statistical Service (CYSTAT) announced that the number of building permits authorized by the Municipal Authorities and the District Administration Offices during April 2010 was 668, comprising:
- Residential buildings – 501 permits
- Non-residential buildings – 96 permits
- Civil engineering projects – 27 permits
- Road construction – 5 permits
- Division of plots of land – 39 permits
Focusing on the 501 permits issued for the construction of residential buildings, these were approved for 1,176 dwelling units; 441 single houses and 735 multiple housing units such as apartments. Compared to the April 2009 total of 1,252 dwelling units, this represents a decrease of 6.1%.
Between January and April 2010 building permits were issued for the construction of 5,915 residential properties. Compared to the same period last year, when permits were issued for the construction of 5,805 residential units; an increase of just 1.9%.
According to the Cyprus Statistical Service, building permits constitute a leading indicator of future activity in the construction sector.
Perhaps the municipal departments can use this period of low activity to issue the 20,000 or so Title deeds that our friend Mr Sylikiotis promised back in June 2009 would be issued by now .
Quote
“Sylikiotis referred to the fact that in recent months he had set up special team made up of senior officials from each of the relevant departments of his ministry.”
“He said that he already has lists of properties for which only the final certificate of approval is missing, and a file detailing the status of the 19,500 cases already in the system.”
“I can assure you that we will work hard to ensure that by the end of the year, 10,000 of those cases will have deeds issued, with the aim of reaching 20,000 by the end of June 2010.â€Â
Where are they Mr Sylikiotis????