Planning approval rate rose to 95.5% in second quarter of 2025/26

Date published: 18 December 2025

New accredited official statistics published today by NISRA statisticians in the Department for Infrastructure present Northern Ireland planning statistics for the second quarter of 2025/26, covering the period July to September 2025.

Key findings

• There were 2,360 planning applications received in Northern Ireland during the second quarter of 2025/26, down nearly 2% from the previous quarter and similar to the same period a year earlier. This comprised of 2,336 local, 23 major and one regionally significant planning application.
• A total of 1,953 planning applications were decided in the quarter, down 14% from the previous quarter and 15% lower than the same period last year.
• The approval rate for all planning applications was 95.5%, up from both the previous quarter (94.6%) and the same quarter a year earlier (95.0%).
• The average processing time for local applications in the first six months of 2025/26 was 19.4 weeks, exceeding the 15-week statutory target. Three of the 11 councils met this target.
• Major applications were processed in an average of 34.0 weeks during the first half of 2025/26, exceeding the 30-week target but improving by nearly seven weeks compared with the same period last year (40.9 weeks).
• Councils met the enforcement target, with 75.1% of cases concluded within 39 weeks during the first six months of 2025/26, up from 68.4% in the same period last year.
• Residential development accounted for 62% of applications received, followed by 'Other' (12.3%) and 'Government and Civic' (8.4%).

About the publication

The full statistical bulletin provides detailed analysis of planning activity and performance across Northern Ireland's 11 councils and the Department for Infrastructure. It includes breakdowns by development type, council area, and statutory target performance, along with information on enforcement activity and renewable energy applications.

Further information

Read the full report: Northern Ireland planning statistics July - September 2025