Housebuilders signal ‘statement of intent’ as planning applications surge in West Midlands

The number of new planning applications submitted in the Midlands regions has risen sharply in line with a national surge in proposals, new figures show.

According to the Planning Application Index report compiled by planning portal software company TerraQuest, applications in England have risen 68 per cent for the third quarter of 2025.

In the West Midlands, applications rose by over 80 per cent to 11,070, up from just over 6,000 in 2024, while figures for the East Midlands continued the positive trend, with a rise of 36.8 per cent to 6,818.

Meanwhile, in the East of England region, submitted applications more than doubled year-on-year to hit 21,333 – a rise of 108 per cent.

Numbers fell slightly in the North East, which saw a fall in applications of around 4.5 per cent, while Cornwall and the South West also saw a drop of just over 6.2 per cent.

The figures will come as a boost for the Labour Government, after Housing Secretary, Steve Reed, last month re-iterated a target to build 1.5 million new homes before the end of the current Parliament in 2029.

Analysis in the report added that the Government’s focus on new development had led at least partially to the increase in applications.

However, TerraQuest CEO, Geoff Keal, said that while the figures were a “clear step forward” for one of the Government’s flagship election promises, higher numbers of applications would not necessarily lead to more approved developments.

“This is a clear statement of intent from housebuilders, taking to heart the government’s determination to drive housing delivery,” he said.

“What is less clear, however, is how these promising housing application figures will translate into delivery. We typically see some attrition along the way from application to delivery, whether through applications being refused, changes of plans on the part of developers, or economic changes rendering plans unviable.”

Last month, the Government’s New Towns Task Force published a long-awaited paper recommending 12 locations for potential new towns “of at least 10,000 homes” in the UK, following around a year of analysis.

Amongst them was a scheme of expanded development at Worcestershire Parkway railway station, which the report said would accelerate delivery to help meet regional housing need and act as a “model” for sustainable, carbon-neutral development.

“With the government’s recent commitment to get spades in the ground on the first three new towns before the next election, we can already see the focus turning to delivery, which is a promising sign,” added Mr Keal.

“The industry now needs to come together, alongside government, and take the proactive steps necessary to get the country building.”