May 2026 – Market Insight Report

Planning application activity eased in May 2026, with 42,773 applications submitted during the month. This represents an 11% decrease compared to May 2025 and a 5% decrease compared to April 2026.  

While monthly fluctuations are a normal feature of planning activity, May saw fewer applications submitted across all regions and several key application categories.

The regional picture  

Across all regions, planning application volumes were lower in May when compared to both April 2026 and May 2025. Regional performance was broadly consistent, although some regions experienced sharper decreases than others.  

Compared to May 2025, all regions recorded fewer planning submissions, with decreases ranging from 9% to 14%. The South East recorded the largest numerical decrease, with 998 fewer applications submitted than in the same month last year.  

A similar pattern was seen on month-on-month. All regions recorded fewer application numbers than in April 2026, with the West Midlands recording the largest percentage decrease at 12%.  

Yorkshire and London recorded the smallest decreases, with both regions down by just 1%. 

Looking at the year-to-date position, application numbers remain 7% below the same period in 2025.  

Wales recorded the largest percentage decrease at 21%, while the South East has seen the largest numerical reduction, with almost 4000 fewer planning applications submitted so far this year.  

Householder applications 

Householder planning applications were also down in May, falling by 11% compared to May 2025 and 7% compared to April 2026.  

Applications for commercial to dwellinghouses developments were 8% lower than the same month last year. Similarly, applications for larger home extensions also decreased by 11% year-on-year. 

Full planning application 

The decrease in planning activity was also reflected in full planning applications during May. 

Compared to April 2026, full applications fell by 14%. Year-on-year, submissions were down 19%, representing 1,716 fewer applications than in May 2025. 

Outline applications also recorded a decrease, with submissions down 21% compared to the same month last year. 

Together, these figures show a consistent decrease in activity across both full and outline planning applications.

Other application types  

Several other application types also recorded decreases during May. Telecommunications applications, for example, decreased by 8% compared to May 2025. 

Tree Preservation Order applications were also down 8% year-on-year, while Lawful Development Certificate applications fell by 9%. 

What do May’s figures tell us? 

May recorded lower levels of planning applications than both April 2026 and May 2025, with decreases seen across all regions and several application categories. While the planning application data does not reveal the reasons behind this decline, wider economic uncertainty across many sectors may have influenced activity 

The year-to-date figures also remain below the same period in 2025, with decreases recorded across a number of regions and application types. 

Forthcoming Market Insight Reports will continue to track how planning application trends develop over the coming months.