March recap: Planning Portal and TerraQuest mark a major milestone amid key industry shifts
March was a month of big conversations for the built environment.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill brought a significant policy shakeup, with updates aimed at speeding up the delivery of housing arriving hot on the heels of our second ever Market Index Report which draws on exclusive application data to highlight the true scale of the government’s housebuilding challenge.
We were out in force at key industry events throughout the month—attending, exhibiting, and speaking—showcasing our key services across planning and land, as well as the depth of insight our data provides and how it can be harnessed to support better decision-making across the sector.
We closed out the month on a high with the successful launch of Planning Portal services across Wales - bringing our full suite of application services to Welsh applicants and paving the way for greater cross-border collaboration.
Celebrating 10 Years of TerraQuest & Planning Portal
The month marked a major milestone for us—10 years of TerraQuest and Planning Portal working together to transform the planning process.
Over the past decade, we’ve led the industry in digital transformation -streamlining applications, enhancing user experience and improving efficiency. From integrated location plans and seamless payments to digitising planning for over 95% of applicants nationwide - and, most recently, launching our integrated Building Control Portal -we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and how we continue to support applicants in making the most of their submissions.
Looking ahead, we’re more committed than ever to innovation -harnessing AI, data, and automation to build a smarter, more seamless planning system for the future.
National Planning Conference 2025: Early Bird Tickets Now Live
One of our biggest announcements in March was the launch of the National Planning Conference 2025, taking place on 9 October in Manchester. As the industry navigates major policy shifts and the accelerating push for digital transformation, this must-attend event will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and planning professionals to tackle the big conversations shaping the future of planning.
With early bird tickets now available, there’s never been a more important time to be part of the discussion. Secure your spot today to be part of the vital conversation which will shape the next era of planning. Register here.
Planning Application Index: A critical housing challenge
In March we also released our latest Planning Application Index, revealing key insights from Q4 2024. Just 233,811 applications were submitted—falling far short of the pace needed to hit the government's 1.5 million new homes target by 2029.
These figures highlight an urgent need for stronger policy support, greater planning efficiency, and increased investment in new housing developments to bridge the gap and meet demand. Will the initiatives in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill get us closer to where we need to be? Time will tell.
For the full analysis, read the report here.
Driving innovation at Future Build
At FutureBuild, our Business Development team delved into the latest innovations shaping the built environment. The event was a fantastic opportunity to connect with key stakeholders, showcase our land services and Building Control Portal, and gain insight into the pressing issues driving industry change.
Topics like healthy homes, retrofit strategies, offsite construction, and planning reforms took centre stage, highlighting the growing focus on sustainable, future-proofed development. The event reinforced the critical role of digital planning in delivering efficient, high-quality projects—aligning with our mission to modernise and streamline the planning process.
Affordable Housing Conference: Addressing housing challenges
Housing delivery remains a key challenge in the UK, and the Affordable Housing Conference provided valuable insights into investment strategies, policy shifts, and collaboration models that can help accelerate new developments. As planning plays a crucial role in housing delivery, our discussions focused on how digital solutions can streamline applications and land finding, reduce delays and blockers, and support affordable housing providers in meeting growing demand.
Tackling climate resilience in the built environment
Later in the month, we participated in the Ealing Climate Adaptation & Resilience Programme – Built Environment Forum, a critical discussion on how climate resilience can be embedded into planning and development. Our presentation highlighted insights from our recent report Biodiversity Net Gain: The Story So Far, which reflected on the adoption of the ambitious nature resteration policy during its first year of implementation. We explored exemption figures, the current uptake, and the proactive steps we’re taking to drive wider implementation. The wider conclusions of the day highlighted the importance of future-proofing infrastructure and integrating sustainable practices into planning policies.
Expanding Planning Portal’s support across Wales
Finally, we’re excited to announce that Planning Portal now supports applications across Wales. This expansion makes the planning process even more accessible for Welsh applicants, offering enhanced tools and improved payment options.
Looking ahead
With so many critical industry shifts underway, the need for smarter, faster, and more accessible planning has never been greater. As we move forward, we’re staying focused on driving efficiency, supporting housing delivery, and championing digital transformation—helping to shape a planning system that works better for everyone. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to push innovation, collaboration, and progress across the sector.
