Environment says developers need to act on planning permissions
ENVIRONMENT has been exceeding its target for granting planning permission for new homes with 736 additional dwellings approved last year, it has said.
The department was responding to news that there were just 171 new housing units created in 2013, leaving the island well short of its target of 300.
It said while it was meeting its target, it was up to the developers to act on permission.
The Environment Department is required under current planning policy to ensure that a two-year housing supply – 600 new homes – is 'effectively available' for housing development at any one time.
'This target has been met and exceeded over the last three years and is currently being met in terms of planning permissions granted by the Environment Department, with a current pipeline housing supply figure of 736 additional dwellings approved,' said a spokesman.
'While satisfying current policy ensures the minimum provision of housing is in the pipeline, it is for the market to decide how many of these planning permissions are taken up and built.'
