The early months of 2025 have brought a wave of optimism to England’s housing landscape, with more than 70,000 new homes applied for between January and March — the busiest first quarter for planning submissions since 2022.
The data, released by Planning Portal operator TerraQuest, covers over 95% of all planning applications in England. In total, 71,813 homes were proposed during Q1 2025 — a significant jump of over 22,000 homes compared to the same period last year. And it wasn’t just housing numbers on the rise — overall planning applications increased by 12,348 year-on-year.
What’s particularly striking is the renewed focus on houses over other property types. Applications for individual homes made up 64% of the total, widening the gap even further from flats and other developments — a trend that’s gaining pace year after year.
TerraQuest also noted that this growth wasn’t isolated — nearly every region in England saw an increase in new housing proposals. And while housing applications tend to dip after the year-end rush (with Q1 figures usually falling 20–25% below Q4), this year’s Q1 numbers were just 2% shy of the previous quarter. That’s a strong indicator of steady momentum.
Geoff Keal, CEO at TerraQuest, believes we could be on the brink of a building boom. “These figures are the strongest sign yet that England stands on the doorstep of a housebuilding boom,” he said. “The intent is clear — from government and from developers. But to turn that intent into actual homes, we need to overcome some long-standing challenges.”
He also pointed out that large-scale developments often have long lead times, meaning these numbers may be a reflection of the government’s recent ambitions, rather than the direct result of implemented policy. The true impact? That may become clearer in the second and third quarters of this year.
The government’s current goal is to deliver 1.5 million homes during this Parliament — and if this trend is anything to go by, we may finally be seeing the first steps in that direction.
Thinking about a new build of your own? There’s no better time to get started. With application numbers on the rise and momentum building across the country, taking that first step now could put you ahead of the curve.
If you’re unsure where to begin — whether you’re questioning what can realistically be built on your land, how local planning policies might affect your ideas, or what kind of application you’ll need — our Pre-Planning Advice service is the perfect place to start.
We take a close look at your site, review relevant planning constraints, and help you understand what’s likely to gain approval — before you spend time or money on full drawings or applications. It’s a smart, low-commitment way to explore your project’s potential with expert guidance tailored to your specific situation.
At Homz, we’re here to help you make sense of planning and design — no matter how complex things might seem. Whether you need guidance on permissions, policies, or simply want to understand what’s possible, our team is ready to support you with honest, practical advice.
Don’t hesitate to reach out — Contact Homz Today and let’s take the next step together.
References:
1.) https://www.theplanner.co.uk/2025/05/19/permission-sought-more-70000-homes-q1-statistics-show
