England on the Brink of a Housebuilding Boom? New Data Suggests So

New figures from TerraQuest’s Planning Portal Market Index suggest England may be entering a new era of housebuilding.

In Q1 2025, applications for over 71,800 new homes were submitted—a 44% increase on the same period last year and the highest number in three years. Total planning applications also rose to nearly 160,000, with March setting a new record for daily submissions.

According to TerraQuest CEO Geoff Keal, this is “the strongest sign yet” of a housebuilding boom. Developer appetite is rising, and the government’s intent is clear—but the challenge now lies in translating ambition into delivery.

Why does this matter?

• It’s a key signal that smaller and medium-sized developers are re-entering the market

• It suggests policy changes aimed at streamlining planning are starting to gain traction

• A new wave of permissions could be arriving—crucial for addressing the UK’s housing shortage

While Planning Portal data differs from official MHCLG counts (due to timing differences in submission vs. validation), it processes 95% of planning applications across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland—making it a vital indicator of market momentum.

Q2 and Q3 will be critical in showing whether this spike turns into sustained delivery. But for now, the intent is unmistakable.

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