Planning Applications Slow Down in Q2 2025

LOCAL PLANNING authorities received 80,400 planning applications in Q2 2025, according to new figures published today.

This was an 11% decline from the 90,657 applications received in Q1 2025 and a 5.2% decrease when compared to the same quarter in 2024.

During April to June 2025, 70,800 planning decisions were granted, up 1% from the same quarter a year earlier. 91% of major applications were decided within 13 weeks or within the agreed time, unchanged from Q2 2024. In the same quarter, 88% of minor applications and 92% of other applications were decided within 8 weeks or within the agreed time.

Planning Applications Slow Down

The number of planning decisions made for residential developments was down 13% to 9,300 in Q2 2025, compared to the same quarter a year earlier. Of these, 7,000 (76%) were granted, down 8% from Q2 2024.

This downward trend carried over to commercial developments which saw 1,600 decisions made in Q2 2025, down 10% from the same quarter the previous year. Of these, 1,500 (90%) were granted, down 7% from Q2 2024.

The number of decisions made on householder developments – defined as developments to a residence which require planning permission such as extensions, loft conversions and conservatories – was 44,000 in the quarter to June 2025, accounting for 54% of all decisions and down from 51% of all decisions made in Q2 2024. Figures show authorities granted 90% of these applications and decided 93% within eight weeks or the agreed time.

In the year ending June 2025, district level planning authorities granted 266,400 decisions and 28,700 residential applications, down from the previous year by 5% and 9%, respectively.

COMMENT

Continued Challenges in the Planning System

Sebastian Tibenham, Executive Director – Planning, Pegasus Group, comments: “Despite the hope offered by last quarter’s small rise in planning applications, today’s 11% decline is indicative of continued challenges in the planning system. The government has staked a lot on promoting economic growth and achieving its ambitious 1.5 million housing targets but it simply won’t be able to achieve this without removing the continued barriers to new development.

“Streamlining the planning system is essential for the UK’s growth and while the NPPF will have provided some much-needed guidance, and further reform is on the way through the Planning & Infrastructure Bill and standard development control policies, the government is under greater pressure to deliver action now, and make good of its commitments end the planning roadblocks.

“In particular, we would ask the government to consider how the initial identification of new settlements and large strategic sites could be more easily established through longer term Local Plan visions, where there is evidence of local and political support for this.”

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