October's Monthly Roundup

October was a month of momentum at TerraQuest and Planning Portal, filled with inspiring events, thought leadership and celebrations that brought our teams together 🌟

🎤 Events

UK Construction Week

October kicked off with UK Construction Week in Birmingham, where TerraQuest connected with stakeholders across the built environment 🏗️ Our teams attended sessions exploring digitisation, sustainability, AI in property investment, and translating government policy into real world outcomes. Key themes emerged around innovation, SME support, long term skills development, collaboration, and embedding social and environmental value in every project.

Grand Designs

Two busy days at Grand Designs saw our Chief Revenue Officer, Daniel Williams, share his expertise on “The Steps from Plot to Plan,” guiding visitors through plot selection, funding, and sustainable home design. Earl Hamilton and Chantelle Hallett then showcased our brand-new Interactive House, demonstrating how the digital tool simplifies home improvements, extensions, and renovations, guiding users every step of the way 🏠 Explore the Interactive House here

National Planning Conference

We held the National Planning Conference in collaboration with the RTPI. The day emphasised the importance of breaking down silos and fostering meaningful dialogue across the planning sector. Attendees heard from Chief Planners on upcoming reforms, attracting new talent, and Dame Judith Hackitt on continual improvement in building safety. We had a fantastic spectrum of industry leaders discussing on AI, digital innovation, environmental resilience, affordable housing, and regional housing delivery sparked lively discussion, while workshops and interactive debates explored the future of service delivery and planning practice.

💡 Thought Leadership

TerraQuest’s Planning Application Index, launched at the National Planning Conference, provides vital data for developers, local councils, and industry peers to discuss housing delivery in line with the government’s target of 1.5 million new homes. Planning Portal data covers around 95% of all planning applications submitted to local authorities in England, offering a reliable early indicator of market trends. Read the full report here

🎉 ESG and Celebrations

Black History Month

In recognition of Black History Month UK 2025, themed “Standing Firm in Power and Pride,” we shared key learnings, resources, and upcoming events celebrating Black leadership, resilience, and progress across the built environment and tech. Highlights include the RTPI and RIBA event on Black leadership in planning and architecture, RIBA’s curated reading list, Colorintech’s AI for Everyone training, and the BAME Planners Network’s Elevate Programme 2025. These initiatives reflect our industry’s commitment to representation, inclusion, and empowerment, values we continue to champion throughout the year. Read our full blog

Diwali celebrations

Our Birmingham office came alive with a vibrant Diwali celebration 🎆 Colleagues enjoyed candle painting, henna tattoos, a festive quiz, and delicious food. It was a joyful afternoon bringing everyone together to celebrate culture, connection, and the spirit of the occasion  

World Mental Health Day

On World Mental Health Day, Worklife Wellness Specialist Tracey Hewett led a session on “Taking a Breathing Space” 🌿 She guided the team through practical techniques for checking in with themselves and supporting mental wellbeing. This year’s theme, “Mental health in humanitarian emergencies”, reminded us all of the importance of accessible mental health support during times of crisis.  

Halloween

The month ended on a fun note with Halloween celebrations 🎃 Colleagues enjoyed pumpkin carving, painting, and sweet treats in the office kitchen, bringing everyone together for festive creativity and laughter.

October was a month of innovation, collaboration, learning, and celebration, with teams across TerraQuest demonstrating creativity, expertise, and community spirit ✨ We cannot wait to carry this momentum into November 🚀