Comparing the first two quarters of 2025/26 with the same period in 2024/25, the new figures revealed that the number of major housing development applications (49 + homes) decided has fallen by 38.6%, from 57 to 35. While average decision timescales for these applications have reduced slightly from 40.8 weeks to 39.7 weeks, they remain almost two and a half times longer than the statutory 16-week period.

The figures also show that local housing development applications (49 or less homes) have reduced from 1,683 to 1,517, a fall of nearly 10%. Average decision timescales for these applications have increased from 18.5 weeks to 18.6 weeks, remaining more than double the statutory eight-week timeframe.

Kevin Murphy, director of planning at sector body HFS, said: “Whilst any reduction in average decision timescales for major housing applications is welcome, the reality is that these figures remain far beyond the statutory 16-week target. More concerning is the sharp fall in the number of major housing applications coming forward, alongside a further reduction in local housing applications and no meaningful improvement in the time taken to determine them.

“At a time when Scotland is facing a deepening housing emergency, these statistics are another clear reminder that the planning system must be enabled to support the delivery of more homes of all tenures. Delays and uncertainty have real consequences: they affect investment decisions, business confidence, tie up the funds SME home builders have to invest and, ultimately, the ability of people across Scotland to access the homes they need.

“The fall in both local and major housing application approvals combined with falling starts and completions are a further indication of the need for the Scottish Government, local authorities and partners across the public and private sectors to work constructively and collaboratively to bring forward the solutions that will enable planning to play its full part in alleviating Scotland’s housing emergency.”

For HFS, the statistics underline the need for action on Scotland’s housing land supply crisis, with the body’s own research showing that there is not enough effective land coming through the planning system to maintain a pipeline capable of meeting housing need. Without action to address policy, resourcing and process barriers, HFS argues there is a real risk that delivery will continue to fall and the sector will contract in Scotland.

Following the Scottish Elections, it is hoped the appointment of a refreshed cabinet and a new minister for public finance with responsibility for planning presents an important opportunity to reset the focus on housing delivery.

With the Scottish Government having indicated that further planning reform will be taken forward in the new parliamentary term, HFS is calling for urgent clarity on what this will involve, how it will be delivered and how quickly it will make a difference on the ground.

HFS said it looks forward to working constructively with the new minister for public finance, local authorities and partners across the public and private sectors to bring forward the solutions that will enable planning to play its full part in alleviating Scotland’s housing emergency.