The number of homes in England given planning permission has fallen to a “disastrous” 13-year low, according to a report by the Home Builders Federation (HBF)

The HBF’s latest Housing Pipeline Report, which is based on data from Glenigan, reveals approvals are 55% down on the last quarter and 32% lower than for the same period last year. 

During the first quarter of 2025 there were 39,170 new homes given planning approval in England – the lowest number of quarterly approvals since 2012 and the third lowest since the data set was started in 2006.