Planning permissions hit 8 year high

Planning disputes on new build land

New figures published yesterday (8 March 2016) by the Department for  Communities and Local Government, show that the number of planning permissions for homes rose 6% on a year earlier, as housing measures continue to turn the market around and build more homes for hard working families and first time buyers.

The number of major applications being processed swiftly by local authorities is also at an all-time high with a record 81% decided within the required time.

It means the number of planning permissions granted for homes in 2015 was the highest since 2007.

According to analysis of Glenigan data also published yesterday, permission was granted for 253,000 homes during 2015.

Government figures show that as well as rising numbers of planning permissions for homes, the number of permissions granted overall between October and December 2015 was 4% greater than a year earlier, with councils granting 92,000 decisions.

Planning Minister Brandon Lewis said: “We’ve brought the housing market back from the brink with more than 700,000 new homes delivered since 2010 and a further one million granted planning permission.

“Today’s figures are further good news for hard working families and first time buyers wanting to acheive their dream of home ownership with constructions rates up and plenty of homes in the pipeline”.

To see the report in full visit Gov.UK

 

 

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Applicant budgets remain stable and rental prices in line with historic norms

Ratio of new renters per instruction rose by 5.1% from 8.9 to 9.4 applications per instruction. Average rental prices declined by 4% in November 2025, remaining closely aligned with November levels observed over the past four years. Year-to-date, average rental prices are 2% higher in 2025 compared to 2024.   New data from Foxtons, London’s…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

The Impact of Increasing Lease Conversions on Estate Agents in 2026

2026 is shaping up to be a watershed year for the property market. Economic pressures, shifting demand and regulatory changes are converging to create a surge in lease conversion applications. For estate agents, this “perfect storm” will reshape the portfolios they manage and redefine their role in advising landlords. Mustafa Sidki of the construction team…
Read More
Breaking News

First-time buyers help drive the most home moves for three years

Zoopla forecasts 1.5% house price growth for 2026 Housing sales hit 1.2 million over 2025 despite Q4 Budget slowdown More sales doesn’t mean faster price growth – house prices rise just 1.1 per cent (vs 1.9 per cent in 2024) The hottest markets for price growth across Britain are the Scottish Borders (TD postal area…
Read More
Breaking News

Mortgage Lending Statistics – December 2025

Latest findings The outstanding value of all residential mortgage loans increased by 0.9% from the previous quarter to £1,733.7 billion, and was 2.9% higher than a year earlier. The value of gross mortgage advances increased by 36.9% from the previous quarter to £80.4 billion, the largest increase in new advances since 2020 Q3, and was…
Read More
bank of england interest rate
Breaking News

Bank of England interest rates decision – Thoughts from the Industry

The Bank of England has just announced its decision to cut the base rate to 3.75%, the first cut seen since August of this year. This decision comes after inflation (CPI) dropped to 3.2% in November (from 3.6% in October), slowly edging towards the Bank’s 2.0% target. The Monetary Policy Committee voted 5-4 in favour…
Read More
Breaking News

A Winter Rate Cut to Thaw the Market

By Kevin Shaw, National Sales Managing Director, LRG Today’s reduction in interest rates is very welcome news – for homeowners, buyers, property professionals, and no doubt Government ministers. This warming news is set against a chilly backdrop: unemployment has increased to 5.1%, while the November Budget tightened the fiscal screws. Inflation, however, has eased to…
Read More