Planning activity statistics
Reports on the volume of planning applications received and decisions issued. They include geographic detail at the Local Government District and the Assembly Constituency levels.
Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistical Regulation (OSR).
Background
Since the transfer of planning powers to councils in April 2015, the quarterly bulletins present a summary of provisional Northern Ireland planning volumes and processing performance for the new district councils, and the Department.
The provisional quarterly releases are then replaced by a final annual publication, which contains finalised figures on the volume of applications received and decided, including geographic detail at the district council level, and detail on areas of high public interest (including information on residential development in urban and rural areas), renewable energy and enforcement activity.
Please note that there may be small differences between finalised figures for quarterly data and what has been reported in the provisional quarterly reports. In keeping with Open Data, users should note that from 2015/16 it has been decided to retain provisional quarterly reports on the website.
Planning Statistics User Guidance
Data visualisation
Summary of the Northern Ireland planning statistics October – December 2024 (provisional figures).
Publications
2024/25
Quarterly – provisional results
- Northern Ireland planning statistics October - December 2024
- Northern Ireland planning statistics July - September 2024
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April - June 2024
2023/24
Annual - finalised results
Quarterly – provisional results
- Northern Ireland planning statistics October - December 2023
- Northern Ireland planning statistics July - September 2023
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April - June 2023
2022/23
Annual - finalised results
Quarterly – provisional results
- Northern Ireland planning statistics July - September 2022
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April - June 2022
2021/22
Annual - finalised results
Quarterly – provisional results
- Northern Ireland planning statistics October - December 2021
- Northern Ireland planning statistics July - September 2021
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April - June 2021
2020/21
Annual - finalised results
Quarterly – provisional results
- Northern Ireland planning statistics October - December 2020
- Northern Ireland planning statistics July - September 2020
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April - June 2020
2019/20
Annual - finalised results
Quarterly – provisional results
- Northern Ireland planning statistics October - December 2019
- Northern Ireland planning statistics July - September 2019
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April - June 2019
2018/19
Annual - finalised results
Quarterly – provisional results
- Northern Ireland planning statistics October - December 2018
- Northern Ireland planning statistics July - September 2018
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April - June 2018
2017/18
Annual - finalised results
Quarterly – provisional results
- Northern Ireland planning statistics October - December 2017
- Northern Ireland planning statistics July - September 2017
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April - June 2017
2016/17
Annual - finalised results
Quarterly – provisional results
- Northern Ireland planning statistics October - December 2016
- Northern Ireland planning statistics July - September 2016
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April - June 2016
2015/16
Annual - finalised results
Quarterly – provisional results
- Northern Ireland planning statistics July - December 2015
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April - June 2015
Note: it was necessary to combine the second and third quarterly bulletins after planning hierarchy classification issues led to a delay in the second quarterly publication.
2014/15
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April 2014 - March 2015
- Northern Ireland planning renewable energy monthly statistics - up to March 2015
Note: after April 2015 the monthly renewable energy release was incorporated into the Northern Ireland planning statistics bulletins.
2002/03 to 2013/14
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April 2013 - March 2014
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April 2012 - March 2013
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April 2011 - March 2012
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April 2010 - March 2011
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April 2009 - March 2010
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April 2008 - March 2009
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April 2007 - March 2008
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April 2006 - March 2007
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April 2005 - March 2006
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April 2004 - March 2005
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April 2003 - March 2004
- Northern Ireland planning statistics April 2002 - March 2003
Quality Reports
- Northern Ireland planning statistics - background quality report
- Northern Ireland planning statistics – quality assurance of administrative data sources (QAAD)
User Engagement
National Statistics designation
Between November 2019 and March 2020, the Northern Ireland planning statistics underwent an assessment by the Office for Statistics Regulation. A report detailing the findings of this assessment was published in May 2020.
Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch have developed an action plan detailing how and by when the requirements identified in the assessment report were met. This includes a forward work plan which outlines scheduled work and further developments over the coming years. This can be accessed below.
In December 2020, the UK Statistics Authority Regulatory Committee confirmed National Statistics designation for the Northern Ireland planning statistics. This designation means that the statistics meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality and public value as set out in the Code of Practice for Statistics.
Investigating the feasibility of linking planning approvals to house building completions data
A report investigating the feasibility of linking planning approvals to house building completions data can be accessed below.
Forward work plan
Forward work plan which outlines scheduled work and further developments planned for 2024/25. This can be accessed below.
Contact
For general enquiries, data requests and feedback, contact Analysis, Statistics and Research Branch