Year-on-year planning application volumes in Northern Ireland (financial years, April to March) show a downward trend in recent years, based on official statistics from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and NISRA. Recent annual figures for applications received:

• 2024/25: 9,716 (3% decrease from previous year)
• 2023/24: 10,025 (11% decrease from previous year)
• 2022/23: 11,217 (18% decrease from previous year)
• 2021/22: 13,600 (6% increase from previous year, post-COVID recovery peak)

This indicates a post-2021 peak decline, with volumes dropping over 28% from 2021/22 to 2024/25. Longer-term context suggests volumes are at their lowest since consistent recording began, down significantly from peaks around 20 years ago. For the current 2025/26 year (as of December 2025):

• Q1 (Apr-Jun 2025): 2,416 received (down ~5% year-on-year)
• Q2 (Jul-Sep 2025): 2,360 received (similar to previous year)

These provisional quarterly figures suggest continued stability or slight decline. Data is sourced from DfI’s annual and quarterly statistical bulletins, available at infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/articles/planning-activity-statistics. Note that figures can be impacted by events like COVID-19 restrictions and system changes.

Council by Council analysis shall follow in separate post.