The Housing Pipeline Report Q1 2026 found at 58,814 the number of residential units approved dropped by 9% during the first quarter of 2026, but was 6% up on a year ago. This follows a 15% decline during 2025 to 232,484 units. At 3,283, the number of housing projects granted planning permission in the first quarter fell by 6% against the preceding quarter and was 16% higher than a year ago.
Housing schemes of ten or more units during the first quarter accounted for 89% of approved units. At 52,366, the number of units on such schemes declined by 10% against the preceding quarter but was 5% higher than a year earlier. The remaining 11% 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 1,361 the number of private sector housing projects (schemes of 3 or more units) securing approval was 13% lower than in the fourth quarter of 2025 and was 17% down on a year earlier. At 50,193 the number of units on private sector projects granted planning permission was 13% down on the previous three months and unchanged on a year earlier. The decline would have been sharper, but for the approvals of four 1,000 plus unit sites.
At 85, the number of social housing projects (of three or more units) dropped by 7% during the first quarter and was unchanged on a year ago. However, at 6,474, the number of units was 34% up on the preceding quarter and was 52% higher than a year earlier.
There was a sharp divergence in regional approvals during the first quarter. The North East, East Midlands and East of England saw a rise in the number of units approved during the first quarter, rising by 104%, 5% and 47% respectively against the preceding quarter. In contrast, approvals declined in all other part of the county. The number of units approved in the Yorkshire & the Humber, South East, Wales and Scotland fell sharply with declines of 38%, 45%, 17% and 22% respectively.
