Less housing construction

In the third quarter of 2004 close to 11 thousand new houses were finished. This is 3 percent less than in the third quarter of 2003. The number of newly finished houses in the first nine months of the year, however, was higher than in the same period of 2003. The number of houses for which a building permit was granted in the third quarter was down by 6 percent on last year according to the latest figures by Statistics Netherlands.

Down in third quarter, up in first nine months

There were  320 fewer new houses in third quarter of 2004 than in the third quarter of 2003. In the first nine months of 2004, however, Statistics Netherlands observed a 4 percent increase on the first nine months of 2003. This is because more new houses were finished in the first and second quarters of 2004 than in 2003. In the provinces North Brabant, Gelderland and South Holland the number increased by over 900 houses in the first nine months.  Flevoland had the largest decrease, namely 1300 houses.

Fewer building permits

In the third quarter of 2004 building permits were granted for nearly 15 thousand houses. This is a thousand less than in the third quarter of 2003. In the first nine months, building permits were granted for 45 thousand houses. This is nearly 4 thousand less than in the same period of 2003. Statistics Netherlands only observed increases in the provinces Drenthe, North Holland, Zeeland and Limburg.

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