March’s Market Insight Report is now available

March 2025 was a record-breaking month for planning applications, marking the highest volume since April 2021. A huge 64,210 applications were submitted. On March 31 we processed more applications than we ever have on a single day.

Overall, submissions surged by 29% compared to February 2025. This represents a staggering 29% increase from March 2024, a stark contrast to the 19% decline recorded between March 2023 and March 2024.

The spike in applications coincides with the government’s planning application fee increases, likely prompting a rush to submit ahead of the changes. However, the trend isn’t solely fee-driven. A rise in applications in Wales—where fees remained unchanged – suggests a broader shift in market confidence and an appetite for development.

Regional trends

Every region saw growth compared to February, with Yorkshire and the Humber experiencing a standout 37% increase—3,265 more applications than the previous year. The South East recorded the largest overall rise, with 3,000 additional applications, a 30% year-on-year jump.

Householder applications

Householder applications surged by 52% compared to March 2024, the most dramatic increase across all planning categories. With this type of application particularly affected by the national fee uplift, many applicants rushed to submit before the changes took effect. Compared to February 2025, householder applications also rose significantly – by 56%.

Full planning permission

Full planning applications also saw a significant rise. March 2025 recorded nearly 2,500 more submissions than February, a 28% increase. Compared to March 2024, numbers were up by 667 applications, reflecting a more modest but still notable 6% year-on-year growth.

March’s figures paint a clear picture: while policy changes have undoubtedly influenced short-term spikes, the wider market appears to be gaining momentum. Whether this uptick sustains in the coming months remains to be seen, but for now, the appetite for development is on the rise. For a deeper dive into national and regional application trends, explore our recent Market Index Report—a quarterly analysis packed with key insights and data-driven perspectives.