Statistics released by the CSO show that the number of planning permissions granted in Quarter one (Q1) of 2025 for agricultural buildings fell by 17% compared to 2024 levels.

A total of 204 planning permissions were granted, consisting of 175 new developments, 26 extensions and eight alterations/conversions in the south of Ireland.

The corresponding figure for 2024 sat at 240 developments, with a 49% rise seen on 2023 levels which witnessed just 161 applications approved.

However, the overall gross area per development has risen to 714m², a rise of 41% on 2024 levels which saw an average development size for new builds and conversions of 506m².

Highest in southern region

The 2025 gross areas are more in line with those of 2023, which saw a gross area per development of 747m². The highest number of planning permissions granted were in the southern region, with 91 permissions granted, with the northern and western region seeing 74 permissions granted across new builds, extensions and alterations.

The east and midlands area recorded just 44 permissions granted.

New constructions accounted for close to 90% of the total area of planning permissions granted.

Dwelling houses and apartments

There was an annual decrease of 2.5% in the total number of dwelling units approved in Q1 2025 to 8,177 units, down from 8,387 units in Q1 2024.

Houses accounted for 60% of all dwelling units granted planning permission in Q1 2025, while apartments made up the remaining 40%.

In Q1 2025, the number of houses granted planning permission rose by 0.8% when compared with Q1 2024, while in contrast, apartment approvals fell by 7%.