Planning Applications Statistics 2024/2025: Annual and Quarterly (October 2024 to March 2025)

Annex A – Yearend 2023/24 Key Findings

1. Local Developments

1.1. All Local Developments

There were 8,397 decisions on local developments (without processing agreements) in the last two quarters of 2024/25. This was lower than the same period last year (9,248). The average decision time for applications not subject to processing agreements was 12.2 weeks in Q3 and 12.0 weeks in Q4.

In quarter three there were 675 local development applications with processing agreements, with 72.4% meeting agreed timescales that had been set between developers and local authorities. In quarter four there were 672 with almost three-quarters (72.3%) meeting the agreed timescales. Some authorities continued to use more processing agreements for local applications than had been used in the past.

1.2. Local Housing Developments

There were 1,259 local housing developments not subject to processing agreements decided during the last two quarters of 2024/25. This was a lower than in the same period last year (1,364). The average decision time in Q3 was 20.4 weeks and 20.0 weeks in Q4. The percentage of decisions made in less than two months was 37.2% in Q3 and increased to 39.7% in Q4.

In Q3, 69.1% of applications with processing agreements met the agreed timescale, rising to 71.1% in Q4.

2. Applications for Major Developments

2.1. All Major Developments

There were 76 decisions on major developments (without processing agreements) in the last two quarters of 2024/25. The average decision time in Q3 was 41.1 weeks and 38.8 weeks in Q4.

In quarter three there were 29 major development applications with processing agreements and over half (55.2%) met agreed timescales that had been set between developers and local authorities. In quarter four there were 36 with 66.7% meeting the agreed timescales.

2.2. Major Housing Developments

There were 19 major housing developments not subject to processing agreements decided during the last two quarters of 2024/25. This was only slightly lower than the same period last year (15). The average (mean) decision times was 77.9 weeks in Q3 and 49.9 weeks in Q4. Means are affected by very long decision times. However the middle or median value is not affected by high values and the median for Q3 was 37.0 weeks. In Q3 there were 11 applications major housing applications with processing agreements and timescales were met for 45.5%. In Q4 there were 13 major housing applications with processing agreements and timescales were met for 61.5%.