Planning applications remain at their lowest level in more than a decade, Landmark data reveals.
Landmark’s analysis shows that planning activity has declined year-on-year since the pandemic in 2021, which reflects ongoing challenges in the planning process and broader economic and affordability challenges affecting development.
The data shows that almost 689,000 planning applications were submitted in 2025, the lowest annual number recorded in the Landmark dataset since 2012, while the national rate fell to a low of 995 applications per 100,000 people.
Despite this low overall activity, grant funding rates remain high at around 86%, indicating that the decline has been mitigated less by planning denials and more by fewer priority applications.
This can be seen in new construction applications, which have continued to decline, falling 5.5% year-on-year to 198,240 applications in 2025.
Landmark says the figures suggest the engineering profession remains on alert, with higher costs, existential pressures and ongoing uncertainty continuing to slow major developments.
The data also shows that 19% of applications have now been submitted with an undecided decision, the highest proportion on record.
It suggests that this is due to a planning environment where risk and complexity are more prominent, especially with small-scale developments.
Meanwhile, applications for extensions and home improvements have fallen sharply since 2021, with applications alone down 44% from post-closure highs.
In contrast, changes and modifications increased by 4.9% compared to 2024 and now account for almost 40% of all planning activities.
Testimony from local authorities also reveals pressures within the system. In December, the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government released data showing that 93% of Local Planning Authorities have identified skills gaps among professional planning staff, highlighting the challenge at municipal level.
Landmark highlights that government planning reforms are an important opportunity to open up service delivery and reverse current trends.
Although the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) aims to speed up decisions, data shows that the real bottleneck lies early in the process.
Geodata’s notable managing director Josh Rains says: “While approval rates are still strong, fewer applications are coming through in the first place.
“Planning change has the potential to address these issues, but success will depend on improving decision-making earlier in the process. Better use of data can help identify risks faster, make requests clearer and give developers more confidence before submitting requests.”
“However, delivery will depend on how effectively the three main pillars of the planning process, process, people and technology, work together.”
“Reforms may improve planning machinery, but without the right capacity for planning, specialized expertise and the effective use of data and technology, the system will continue to struggle. If these elements are not integrated effectively, the planning process can work with greater certainty and support the delivery of housing in the long term.”
