How many planning applications are made, and approved?
English councils received 315,795 planning applications in the year to March 2026, and granted 87% of the decisions they made.
In the year to March 2026. down 27% on 2020-21.
Of decisions, year to March 2026.
Planning applications over time
What’s this?
The number of planning applications councils in England received in the year to March.
What it cannot tell you: It covers district planning authorities in England and counts applications of every kind, from garden extensions to large estates, so it does not show how many homes are being approved.
What’s this?
The share of planning decisions that approved the application.
What it cannot tell you: It covers district planning authorities in England and counts applications of every kind, from garden extensions to large estates, so it does not show how many homes are being approved.
Year by year
District planning authorities in England, years to March.
| Period | Planning applications received, England | Planning applications granted, England |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 315,795 | 87% |
| 2024-25 | 333,696 | 86% |
| 2023-24 | 350,551 | 86% |
| 2022-23 | 395,466 | 87% |
| 2021-22 | 459,274 | 88% |
| 2020-21 | 431,446 | 88% |
| 2019-20 | 424,451 | 88% |
| 2018-19 | 447,128 | 88% |
| 2017-18 | 470,058 | 88% |
| 2016-17 | 486,681 | 88% |
Questions people ask
Does this show how many homes are being approved?
No. It counts applications of every kind, from home extensions to large developments.
Who decides planning applications?
Local planning authorities, mostly district and unitary councils, decide most applications. Some are decided on appeal or by the government.
What does “planning applications received, england” measure?
The number of planning applications councils in England received in the year to March. It was 315,795 (applications in the year) in 2025-26, down 27% on 2020-21. The highest we have is 486,681 (2016-17) and the lowest 315,795 (2025-26).
What does “planning applications granted, england” measure?
The share of planning decisions that approved the application. It was 87% (% of decisions) in 2025-26, down 1 point on 2020-21. The highest we have is 88% (2016-17) and the lowest 86% (2023-24).
Sources: Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (now MHCLG), planning application statistics. Updated every night. Each chart has a CSV and a Share button.