Number of planning applications falling in 2018

The Construction Index reports that there were fewer planning applications made in the year ending June 2018 compared to June 2017.

Statistics released by the Ministry for Housing and Local Government showed a decline of 2% in major residential planning applications, 3% in minor ones and 11% in commercial applications.

Efficiency in the planning system has also decreased, with fewer applications decided within the statutory 13-week period.

Minor applications are developments of fewer than 10 homes, under a total floor space of 1000 square metres, or under half a hectare in site size.

Statistics also show that 42% of minor residential planning applications and 75% of major are subject to extension of time requests, environmental impact assessments or performance agreements.

Richard Beresford, chief executive of the HBA said, “Reforms to encourage more robust plan making are welcome but reform of the planning process itself remains paramount. While planning remains inconsistent, expensive and risk driven, we will not be able to diversify the market and encourage new players to help solve the housing crisis.”

During April to June 2018, authorities undertaking district level planning in England received 118,100 applications for planning permission, down four per cent on the corresponding quarter in 2017.

In the year ending June 2018, authorities received 464,800 planning applications, down three per cent on the year ending June 2017.

Authorities reported 106,900 decisions on planning applications in April to June 2018, a decrease of five per cent on the 112,000 decisions in the same quarter of the previous year.

In the year ending June 2018, authorities decided 426,400 planning applications, down three per cent on the number in the year ending June.

During April to June 2018, authorities granted 94,300 decisions, down four per cent on the same quarter in 2017.

Authorities granted 88 per cent of all decisions, unchanged from the June quarter of 2017. Overall, 83 per cent of major and minor decisions were granted. Over the 12 months to June 2018, 374,200 decisions were granted, down three per cent on the figure for the year to June 2017.