The Planning Application Index Q1 2025
A record-setting quarter for new home applications
What does the latest Planning Portal data say about new home applications in 2025?
New data from the Planning Portal shows Q1 2025 was the strongest first quarter for new home applications in England since 2022, suggesting a possible turning point for England’s housing market.
TerraQuest's figures, which operates the Planning Portal, shows 71,813 new homes were applied for between January and March 2025.
“We could be on the doorstep of a housebuilding boom” as Planning Portal data reveals best Q1 since 2022 for new home applications.
Applications see year-on-year surge
How much have new home applications increased from 2024 to 2025?
The first quarter of 2025 saw more new homes applied for than in any first quarter since 2022, according to our insights from Planning Portal.
The figures covering more than 95% of planning applications made in England will be seen as a boost to the prospects of achieving the government’s target of building 1.5 million new homes by the end of the current parliamentary term in 2029.
Over the three months from January to March of this year, applications were submitted for 71,813 new homes, 22,037 more than in the same three-month period in 2024 according to TerraQuest’s Planning Application Index for Q1 of 2025.
Growth across most English regions
Positive trends were seen across the country with nearly all regions growing against Q1 2024 in the number of housing units applied for.
Defying seasonal trends
Why were new home applications in Q1 2025 stronger than usual?
Applications for new homes tend to follow clear seasonal trends, with Q4 numbers generally between 20% and 25% higher than those seen in the subsequent Q1. Yet, in a further boost for those backing the government’s housebuilding blitz, numbers from January to March 2025 sit just 2% below the total for October to December 2024.
Record planning submissions in March
In a boost to the country’s economic prospects, March 2025 saw a record number of planning applications submitted through Planning Portal across all development types. While recent fee increases may have encouraged early submissions in some categories - with certain application types seeing fees double from April - this is unlikely to have driven the trend for new home applications, where the average fee increase was just 1.7%.
What do the latest figures suggest about the future of housebuilding in England?
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“These figures are the strongest sign yet that England stands on the doorstep of a housebuilding boom. The intent is clear from both government and developers. But unlocking the door to a housing revolution remains a major challenge for everyone involved. Intent now needs to translate into action
“Major housing developments have long lead times, which means we are likely only seeing the impact of the government’s intent at this stage, rather than the full effects of actual policy changes. The second and third quarters of 2025 may well hold the answers as to whether the government’s reforms are having their desired effect.”
