Fewer construction permits were awarded for residential accommodation in the first 11 months of last year, despite strong demand in the German housing market.

Between January and November 2017, 313,700 residential units were approved, 7.8 per cent down on the same period in 2016, , the Federal Statistical Office of Germany reported.

The decline could be seen in permits for both housing in new developments, which were down 5.3 per cent, and refurbishment and extension projects in existing buildings, down 21 per cent.

The number of permits for new housing units in residential blocks fell especially sharply by 42.8 per cent. This figure includes accommodation for refugees and was seen as a response to the fact that far fewer refugees were arriving in Germany than in 2015.

Without this effect, the decline in new developments was 2.1 per cent, the office said.