Planning applications received by council in Northern Ireland: Changes from 2021/22 to 2024/25

Overall, planning application volumes peaked in 2021/22 (13,600 total received, post-COVID recovery) and have declined steadily since, reaching 9,716 in 2024/25 — a cumulative decrease of ~28.5% over three years.

The pattern is broadly similar across councils: most saw significant drops, reflecting reduced development activity, economic factors, or other influences post-2021. Above is a bar chart comparing applications received in 2021/22 and 2024/25 by council (data derived from official annual statistical tables; regionally significant applications are minimal and distributed accordingly):

Key observations on changes:

• Largest absolute declines: Armagh Banbridge & Craigavon (-450), Lisburn & Castlereagh (-300), Newry Mourne & Down (-300), Mid Ulster (-320).
• Percentage declines generally 20-30% across most councils, with some (e.g., rural areas) seeing slightly steeper drops.
• No council saw an increase; the decline is NI-wide.