The number of planning applications submitted across England fell by 10% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, according to new government statistics.
There were 79,600 applications for planning permission in the first quarter of 2026. District-level planning authorities decided to submit 68,400 applications for planning permission in this period, a decrease of 4% from the first quarter of 2025.
Decisions regarding major residential and commercial projects also fell to record levels.
Data published by the government covering the period from January to March 2026 shows that total planning applications received continued a long-term downward trend, falling by 29% compared to the first quarter of 2016.
The figures also reveal a significant decline in decisions regarding major developments.
Local planning authorities made just 1,033 decisions on major residential applications during the quarter, an all-time low.
This represents a 4% decline compared to the same period in 2025 and a 44% decline over the past decade.
Meanwhile, decisions on major commercial orders fell to 270 in the first three months of 2026, down 23% year-on-year and 48% lower than a decade ago.
The data comes as the government seeks to accelerate housebuilding and infrastructure delivery through planning reform, and ministers are expected to bring forward further changes to the planning system later this year.
Paul Burrell, head of planning at Pegasus Group, said the figures highlight the impact of political uncertainty on development activity.
“The continued slowdown in planning applications for major developments has been impacted by political uncertainty, which has undoubtedly impacted wider investor confidence in UK construction at the moment,” he said.
“Today’s figures underscore the extent of this slowdown and the urgent need for reform if we are to accelerate housing construction to make meaningful progress in solving the housing shortage; but they are also essential to providing much-needed infrastructure and commercial development to facilitate economic growth.”
Burrell said coming Updating the national planning policy framework It will serve as a major test of the government’s efforts to stimulate development.
“If you provide a stronger pro-development presumption, a clearer and unambiguous policy direction, thus enabling faster and more consistent timelines for decision-making, you should begin to open stalled applications and regain momentum,” he said.
“Greater clarity and consistency will be key to rebuilding developer confidence, ultimately translating into more applications, faster approvals, and more homes and infrastructure delivered on the ground.”
