, according to government data released on Tuesday.

Some 360,000 permits were issued last year, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) said.

This included the construction of new flats and houses as well as renovation and extension work at existing dwellings.

Despite the strong rise in permits, it may take some time before the planned housing projects go ahead, due to a backlog of work in the country’s strapped construction sector, Destatis said.