The regional view: submission numbers remain notably above normal levels

Our latest Planning Market Insight Report confirms there has been a negligible change in submission numbers across England and Wales when compared to September 2020. However, Wales has seen the most significant increase in applications, with an 11 percent rise last year. It will come as no surprise that the South East and London have received the highest number of applications throughout the last month (11,373 and 10,650 respectively).

Although they have received the greatest number of applications, both the South East and London have seen a decrease in last year’s figures with the South East receiving 135 fewer applications and London, 351 fewer. However, despite this small decrease, it’s worth remembering that the statistics are still notably above their normal levels for this time of year.

For a period of a few months over the last year, the South West was booming in terms of applications submitted, regularly demonstrating a large percentage increase. When comparing September 2021 with 2020 in the South West, the numbers have remained steady with little change. Following a dip throughout the summer, it is possible the number of submissions will increase, with the last two months seeing a month-on-month increase of two percent in applications. The detail can be seen in the bar chart below, which demonstrates the volume submitted in each region of England and in Wales in September 2020 and 2021.

This analysis is part of the Planning Portal Planning Market Insight Report. The Planning Market Insight Report is the earliest source of planning market data available, and each issue features key high-level statistics as well as deeper analysis of a specific sector or topic. You can access the full report here, or sign up to receive it directly to your inbox each month.