Construction of housing has risen by 71pc in 10 years

The construction of housing in Majorca has risen by nearly 72 per cent over the past ten years, according to figures taken from an advance report on the territorial plan for the Balearics. There are at present 417'401 homes in the islands, 321'202 of them in Majorca. The plan is being drawn up by the Council of Majorca. The report calculates that the number of homes has been increasing at the rate of 13'400 a year over the past ten years, as a result of the increase in population, the growing popularity of second homes among residents, and the appearance of residential tourism. There was a big increase in the construction of homes between 1992 and 1999, and according to the College of Architects, the number of projects which obtained a permit has tripled since 1992. The report also says that 25 per cent of the existing homes are second homes, most of them constructed in the past 35 years. The report admits that the type of building generated by second homes eats up a lot of land, as they are usually in isolated buildings with a high level of urban development. But because they are only used seasonally, they cause problems in maintaining infrastructures and amenities are hard pressed to cope in the high season. The report also give figures on empty houses. According to the Council of Majorca's report, more than 24 per cent of the homes in Llubí and Santa Margalida are empty, putting them at the top of the list. Municipalities with between 18 and 24 per cent of empty homes include Inca, Santa Eugenia, Algaida, Manacor, Sant Joan, Sineu and Maria de la Salut.