Quarter 1, 2024 Report
Approvals declined during the first quarter of 2024, reversing a temporary pick-up in approvals during the final three months of last year. At 2,805, the number of housing projects granted planning permission in the first quarter dropped by 8% against the preceding quarter and were 10% lower than a year ago.
The number of units approved during the first quarter fell by 15% against the previous three months to total 61,823 units and was 12% lower than during the first quarter of 2023.
Housing schemes of ten or more units during the first quarter accounted for 90% of approved units. At 55,819, the number of units on such schemes declined by 15% against the preceding quarter and was 12% lower than a year earlier. The remaining 10% of units were on smaller new build projects of up to nine units including self-build schemes together with homes included within non-residential projects and from the conversion of non-residential properties.
At 1,830 the number of private sector housing projects (schemes of 3 or more units) securing approval was 7% lower than in the fourth quarter of 2023 and was 11% down on a year earlier. At 54,379 the number of units on private sector projects granted planning permission dropped by 18% against the previous three months and was 10% lower than a year earlier.
At 127, the number of social housing projects (of three or more units) rose sharply during the first quarter, increasing by 17% on the previous three months, although starts remained 16% down on a year ago. At 6,466, the number of units was 26% up on the preceding quarter but 24% fewer than a year earlier.
