Marginal improvements in planning times overshadowed by falling application volumes

Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Northern Ireland has responded to the latest planning statistics for July to September 2025, warning that a continued decline in applications and persistent processing delays are creating a “perfect storm” for the region’s housing supply.

The latest quarterly statistical bulletin from the Department for Infrastructure reveals that while there has been a marginal improvement in processing times for local applications, the broader health of the planning system remains a significant concern for the housing sector.

Key findings from the Q2 2025/26 release:

• The number of planning applications received in Northern Ireland have continued their downward trend, threatening the long-term pipeline for new housing delivery
• The average processing time for local applications stands at 19.4 weeks, still exceeding the 15-week statutory target
• With residential applications making up the vast majority of local development, the gap between the 15-week target and the 19.4-week reality represents a direct delay in housing families across the region.

‘A system under strain’

Commenting on the figures, Justin Cartwright, National Director for CIH Northern Ireland, said:

“The marginal improvement in local processing times this quarter is a small step in the right direction, but we cannot ignore the flashing red lights in these statistics. A 19.4-week average for local applications is still nearly five weeks over the statutory target, and the continued decline in applications is a worrying indicator of wavering confidence.

“Every week of delay in the planning process is a week that a potential home remains unbuilt. We cannot afford to let the system become a permanent bottleneck, which is why we are calling on local councils to standardise best practices across the board.

“We must eliminate the regional ‘postcode lotteries’ in planning speeds and ensure that residential applications are prioritised with the urgency the housing crisis demands. By aligning resources and sharing the success models of top-performing councils, we can transform the planning system into an engine for growth that finally delivers the homes our communities need.

“As we move into 2026, we anticipate an uptake in Local Development Plan activity across several councils. These plans are the essential blueprints for our communities, and their progression is vital to moving Northern Ireland toward a plan-led system.”