Planning data suggests North ‘stands on doorstep of housebuilding boom’

Numbers compiled by Planning Portal operator TerraQuest Solutions show a positive housebuilding trend and cause for “cautious optimism”.

TerraQuest operates the Planning Portal in a joint venture with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The system processes more than 95% of all planning applications made in England.

The report compares the number of housing units submitted to planning portals across the country in Q1 2025 with the first quarter of the past three years, providing the quarterly net gain of residential units in each region.

Comparisons between Q1 2025 and Q1 2024 demonstrate a clear upward trend in applications for residential units, with the North West reporting a 1,415% net gain of residential unit submission year-on-year.

In Q1 last year, the North West saw a net gain of 4,000 units – by the end of Q1 2025, that number had risen to 9,800 units.

The North East saw a nationwide low of 81 proposed units in Q1 2024. Across the same quarter a year later, applications have risen by almost 2250% to 1,900 proposed units, which is by far the largest net gain in the country.

Yorkshire reported a more modest 73% rise, with nearly 3,800 units submitted compared to more than 6,500 units in this quarter.

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Compared over a longer period, in the three years since Q1 2022, the number of units applied for in the North West in Q1 2025 rose by 37%.

For the North East, a comparison with Q1 2022 shows a 20% decline in units applied for.

Yorkshire follows that trend, with a decrease of 13% in units applied compared to Q1 2025.

These figures indicate that although applications have risen over the last year, some regions are still not reaching levels set in 2022.

Analysis by TerraQuest suggests that the typical dip between Q4 and Q1 has become “significantly less pronounced” and the resulting trend suggests “the economy is holding firm in the face of volatility”.

TerraQuest has caveated results with the general trend that housebuilders tend to submit more applications in Q1 before the end of the financial year.

The report adds that government reforms “have instilled a greater level of enthusiasm among developers” but that intent will be measured more accurately with Q2 and Q3 figures.

Geoff Keal, chief executive at TerraQuest, added: “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.”