DevAssist: Could a Housebuilding Boom Be Imminent?

England may be on the brink of a housebuilding surge, according to new data from TerraQuest, the parent company behind the Planning Portal. Figures from their Q1 2025 Market Index reveal a significant increase in planning activity, suggesting growing momentum in the sector.

From January to March this year, over 71,800 new homes were applied for, marking the highest Q1 total since 2022. That’s a 44% increase compared to the same period in 2024, when fewer than 50,000 units were submitted.

In total, more than 159,000 planning applications were filed in Q1 2025, an 8.4% rise year-on-year. According to TerraQuest, this level of early-year activity hasn’t been seen since Q1 2022, when over 166,000 applications were submitted.

Geoff Keal, CEO of TerraQuest, commented that this is “these figures are the strongest sign yet that England stands on the doorstep of a housebuilding boom.” While the intent from both government and developers appears strong, he cautioned that turning that momentum into real delivery remains a challenge. With large developments requiring long lead times, Keal suggests the coming quarters will be crucial in determining whether recent policy reforms are making a tangible impact.

Interestingly, TerraQuest reported that March 2025 alone saw over 64,000 applications submitted via the Planning Portal, making it the busiest single month for planning activity since April 2021. March 31st stood out in particular, recording the highest daily volume of submissions ever seen.

One thing to keep in mind – TerraQuest tracks applications as soon as they’re submitted, while government stats only count them once they’ve been validated. That’s why the numbers might not always match up.

The Planning Portal, operated as a joint venture between TerraQuest and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), currently handles 95% of planning applications across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

As this volume of planning activity ramps up, it’s something for developers, planners, and property professionals alike to watch closely. If the trend continues, it may signal a renewed era of development – one that brings both opportunity and risk.

Kindly shared by DevAssist