A record number of planning applications were lodged in England and Wales last month, according to latest figures.

Planning Portal’s Market Insight Report revealed that 64,210 applications were submitted in March – the most since April 2021.

And on March 31, it processed more applications than it ever has before on a single day.

The report showed that, overall, submissions increased by 29% compared to February 2025.

A rush to submit paperwork before the government’s planning fee increases may have helped drive the uptick although Planning Portal says that a rise in Wales— where fees remained unchanged – indicates ‘a broader shift in market confidence and an appetite for development’.

According to Planning Portal, every region saw growth in March 2025 compared to February.

Yorkshire and the Humber recorded a 37% increase with 3,265 more applications than the previous year.

Householder applications rocketed  by 52% compared to March 2024, the highest increase across all planning categories.

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

It’s an encouraging trend, coupled with planning policy reforms and the introduction of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill at Parliament, which is due to resume in committee stage when MPs return from recess on April 22.

The figures will make interesting reading once the fee increases come into effect. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information about this or about how the changes to the planning policy landscape will effect your project or plans.

ENDS