Planning permissions reached an eight year high of 253,000 in 2015 according to figures published by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Construction analyst Glenigan found that 6% more homes were granted planning permission in 2015 – making it the busiest year since 2007.
The proportion of major applications processed quickly by local authorities reached a record 81%.
Despite the positive news government figures show that new housing starts totalled 143,560 in 2015, 19% below 2007 levels.
Brandon Lewis, minister of state for housing and planning, said: “These figures are further good news for hard-working families and first-time buyers wanting to achieve their dream of home ownership with constructions rates up and plenty of homes in the pipeline.”
