Building plans up by 40.6% in January

The non-residential buildings category rose by 209.5% or R1.53bn and was mainly responsible for the increase in building plans passed. Year-on-year increases in plans for shopping space (R705.4m) and office and banking space (R536.7m) were passed in Gauteng.

Stats SA said these were the main contributions to the increase in non-residential buildings.

The value of completed buildings at current prices increased by 9.6% (R247.6m) in January.

Increases were reported for residential buildings (30.5% or R382.3m) and additions and alterations (23.7% or R150.9m)‚ while a decrease was reported for non-residential buildings (41.5% or R285.6m) during the period.