Substantially more building permits issued

In the first six months van 2006 building permits were issued for over 49 thousand dwellings. This is 34 percent more than in the first six months of 2005. The increase took place for rented dwellings as well as private property. The number of newly finished dwellings also increased in the first six months of 2006, according to the latest figures by Statistics Netherlands.

More building permits in all provinces

The number of dwellings for which a building permit was granted rose in all provinces. The largest increase was in Groningen, where the increase was close to 80 percent. In Friesland, Overijssel and North and South Holland the increase was about 50 percent.

In absolute terms the province with the greatest increase in the number of dwellings for which a building permit was granted is South Holland.

More apartments finished

In the first six months of 2006 some 26 thousand dwellings were finished. This is 12 percent more than in the first six months of 2005. The increase is entirely due to the number of newly finished apartments.

There was a slight decrease in the number of newly finished single-family homes. In the first half of 2006 two in three newly finished dwellings were single family homes, usually with a garden.

Greatest increase in newly finished homes in North Brabant

The highest growth rate in the number of newly-finished dwellings occurred in North Brabant. 1 300 more dwellings were finished in the first six months of 2006 than in the first six months of 2005. The number of newly finished dwellings fell most in Zeeland and Overijssel. South Holland is the province with the largest number of newly finished dwellings.