Building plans passed -20,5% in Jan

Recorded building plans passed at constant 2005 prices in South Africa in January were -20,5% year-on-year (y/y), Statistics SA reported on Wednesday. The data showed that the value of recorded building plans passed by larger municipalities in January decreased by R554,7m compared with January 2009.

The biggest decrease for January 2010 was reported for non-residential buildings (-55,3% or -R450,9m), followed by residential buildings (-12,1% or -R141,9m). However, additions and alterations increased by 5,3% (R38m) during the same period.

The value of recorded building plans passed by larger municipalities (at current prices) during January 2010 decreased by 17,4% (-R644,3m) compared with January 2009.

The largest decrease was reported for non-residential buildings (-53,6% or -R598,5m), followed by residential buildings (-8,6% or -R138,8m), while additions and alterations increased during the above-mentioned period (9,4% or R93m).

Four provinces reported decreases in the value of building plans passed during January 2010. The biggest contributors to the decrease of 17,4% were KwaZulu-Natal (contributing -8,6 percentage points or -R318,1m), followed by Gauteng (-7,1 percentage points or -R264,5m) and North West (-3,2 percentage points or -R117,3m).

The real value of buildings reported as completed to larger municipalities (at constant 2005 prices) during January 2010 decreased by 35,9% (-R1,032.5m) compared with January 2009. All of the major building categories reported decreases in completions. The biggest percentage decreases were reported for residential buildings completed (-43% or -R659,7m) and additions and alterations (-42,7% or -R330,1m).

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