Construction levels up by 5.5% in Northern Ireland

In the third quarter of last year (2018), construction output increased by 5.5% in Northern Ireland. This was compared to 2017 figures released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).

The increase included a 7.2% increase in new work and a 1.4% rise in repair and maintenance.

Housing in particular saw a rise of 9.4% in work volume.

Neal Taylor, audit and assurance partner at business advisory firm Grant Thornton in Belfast, said: “A rise in activity of 5.5 per cent over the three months to the end of September, compared to the second quarter, is significant and provides positive reading in the latest bulletin.

“Given that the traditional July holidays fall within the period, construction levels in the third quarter can tend to be leaner, or flat, compared to the rest of the year, but that is not what we are seeing here.

“The volume was also two per cent higher than the same period in 2017, illustrating a continued upward trend of rising output that has prevailed since the end of 2014.”

EHA Group continues to contribute to the social housing sector in Northern Ireland and is currently building 4 projects across NI.

In partnership with Choice Housing at Glen Road Heights, Hannahstown, West Belfast the group is building 92 much needed new homes. These will accommodate more than 350 people and will play a major role in meeting the growing demand for local housing in the West Belfast area.

90 new homes are almost complete on the Springfield Road, Belfast in partnership with Radius Housing and Pan Residential. These homes will hugely benefit the local area, while the regeneration project will also improve the overall image of the Springfield Road and adjoining Springfield Avenue.

Also in Downpatrick, EHA is under construction of 31 new social homes at the site of the old Downe Hospital. These homes will be handed over to Clanmil Housing Association in early 2020, bringing new life to the old, derelict Hospital site.

Finally on the Trench Road, Derry / Londonderry, EHA is building 78 social houses for Apex Housing Association. The final homes will be handed over in the next few months.

Follow our Northern Ireland house building updates on our News page, or read more in the Irish News.