Development across Northumberland County slowed in 2024, particularly in residential construction, according to a report from the County’s Economic Development, Tourism and Planning Committee.
The report, presented April 2 and approved by council on April 16, shows that 346 building permits were issued for new residential units last year. Cobourg led with 92 units, followed by Trent Hills with 80 and Brighton with 69.
Detached homes made up 56 per cent of all new units, while multi-residential builds accounted for 30 per cent. However, all categories except semi-detached homes declined from the year before.
The total residential construction value dropped to $206.5 million – a 45.75 per cent decrease from 2023. This includes both new builds and renovations. County staff suggest the slowdown may reflect wider provincial trends caused by higher interest rates, affordability issues, and economic uncertainty.
On the non-residential side, local municipalities reported 210 permits with an estimated construction value of $147.5 million. The industrial sector saw the largest share – $90.4 million – driven by a new bottling plant in Cobourg. Government sector projects made up $21.1 million, while commercial permits totalled $17.4 million.
In total, the value of all construction activity in the County reached $353.9 million in 2024, just below the recent average. The data will be shared with member municipalities to support future planning decisions.
The County says it will continue to monitor development activity and provide annual updates as part of its land use planning process.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
