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Planning applications have doubled year-on-year, according to the Deputy Premier.

Walter Roban, the Minister of Home Affairs, this morning told the House of Assembly, that the number of planning applications reflect the state of the economy with the latest figures showing an economic bounce-back from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Roban said 213 planning applications were received in the first four months of the year and 135 were approved.

He added: “Both figures are essentially double what we observed in 2020.

“Whilst the majority of applications are seeking a series of renovations and additions to existing dwellings of varying size, there have been some new commercial developments also.

“The Department has received a number of applications for new houses for both the recently approved Riddell’s Bay residential lots and also those lots approved under the Tucker’s Point Special Development Order.

“Notable larger projects involve those associated with the Azura Hotel and multi-unit developments across the island.”

Mr Roban said residential and commercial building permits have also surged this year, exceeding figures for the same period in 2019 and 2020.

He said that in the first four months of this year 114 applications for residential building permits and 63 applications for commercial building permits were received.

In 2020 60 residential building applications and 46 commercial building applications were received during the same period, while 106 residential building permits and 57 commercial building permits were sought in 2019.

Mr Roban added that the Ministry had received 170 applications for residential permitted development permits (PDP) – which allow minor works – and 24 commercial PDP requests.

He said: “These are small scale projects, predominantly minor renovations and additions and residential solar panel installations.

“This work is mainly undertaken by the many small and medium size construction businesses, most of which have been adversely affected by the pandemic.”

Mr Roban said that in 2019 – before commercial and residential PDP applications were separated – a total of 125 PDP applications were received, while the total number of PDP applications had fallen to 102 in the same period of last year.

He said: “These are impressive figures, and speaks to optimism and confidence in our economy, particularly the building trades sector.”

Mr Roban said the figures suggested a “vibrant” construction industry prepared to move forward with confidence and optimism.