Building almost reaches historic level of 1999

Furthermore, according to College president Jaime Gibert Salamaca, these figures almost reached the record “building boom” heights registered at the end of the 1990s and at the beginning of the present decade.

Gibert was quick to point out, however, that it had to be taken into account that the population of Majorca has grown by no less than 200'000 people since that time. It wasn't possible therefore, he said, to make factual comparisons between the two eras.

The report by the College of Surveyors and Architects confirmed that the growth in construction projects focused largely on family homes which have taken the form of blocks of flats.

Numbers in this sector beat last years figures with a total of 9'546 new apartments registered as fit for habitation by government inspectors.
The previous record was established in the year 2000 when 8'422 family homes were completed.
On the other side of the coin, the number of detached family dwellings, known locally as chalets has been on the wane after an all time high of 2'272 was recorded in 1998. Last year, only 970 of this type of home were erected on the Island.

Similarly, the building of semi detached town houses (adosadas) has fallen into decline since a maximum number for a single year (1'899) was registered in 1999.

It's worth pointing out, however, that this type of housing witnessed an upturn in its fortunes in 2006 in comparison with the five previous years when projects for this style of home had not proved popular.

Palma has secured a firm lead in terms of numbers of building projects for blocks of flats.
There were 3'302 homes planned for in 2006, although the city pulled back in other major construction projects throughout the year, reducing its impact on the total building programme for Majorca.

Jaime Gibert said that Palma had dropped from laying claim to 50 percent of housing projects on the Island to just a little over 30 percent due to the scarcity and expense of appropriate sites.

Campos has been undergoing a home building boom (815 flats) in 2006, as have Inca (508) and Sa Pobla (438). The Llucmajor bypass has enabled familes to relocate to outlying areas whilst keeping jobs in Palma where homes, for many, have outpriced themselves.

Another picture is painted, however when it comes to detached family homes where Calvia is the leading protagonist with 131 chalets, Santanyí (92) and Manacor (89). Palma can lay claim to only sixth place in this sector with 49.

Manacor comes into its own in the town house class with 194 homes approved for habitation last year, Llucmajor (166) and Palma (91).