Weekly planning news
Planning news - 4 July 2025
Government announces changes to planning appeals process from late 2025
The government has announced upcoming reforms to the planning appeal process, set to take effect from the end of 2025. According to a statement published on the government’s website, the new approach is designed to accelerate decision-making and reduce administrative pressures on the planning system.
Under the proposed changes, most written representation appeals will be limited to the evidence originally submitted to the local planning authority during the application stage. This shift aims to encourage applicants to submit a comprehensive body of evidence up front, minimising delays caused by the introduction of new material later in the process.
The government says this reform will help remove ‘unnecessary administrative burdens’ and deliver quicker appeal outcomes - a change which may be welcomed by developers and planning professionals navigating time-sensitive projects.
While the full guidance is still forthcoming, this move is part of a broader effort to improve the efficiency and transparency of the planning system across England.
You can find full details of the updates on the government’s website.1
Planning Minister predicts ‘sharp uptick’ in applications by year-end
Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook has said he expects a ‘sharp uptick’ in the number of planning applications towards the end of 2025. This a trend that aligns with the findings of our Q1 Planning Application Index, which recorded a notable rise in submissions.
While the number of permissions granted in the first quarter remained relatively steady, the overall volume of applications showed clear upward momentum.
According to Planning Resource, Pennycook stated that the Q1 figures were not influenced by the government’s recent planning reforms. ‘There is no way that the results of changes to the National Planning Policy Framework made in December 2024 would feed into figures in the first quarter of 2025,’ he said.
However, our Q1 index clearly indicates a significant increase in application activity, suggesting renewed confidence in the planning system – as well as a direct response to application fee hikes which took affect earlier this year.
Looking ahead, the minister said he ‘fully expect[s]’ to see ‘very different numbers starting to come through’ in the latter half of 2025 and into 2026, as the effects of policy reform ‘start to bear fruit.’
This outlook echoes the predictions of our CEO, Geoff Keal. Commenting on the release of our application Index for Q1, Geoff commented that we may be on the threshold of a new ‘housebuilding boom’ - driven by increased application volumes and long-awaited systemic reform.
You can read our full Planning Application Index for Q1 of this year on our website.2
Welsh government announce major planning reform to speed up decisions and boost growth
The Welsh Government has unveiled a package of planning reforms to make Wales the ‘fastest country’ in the UK for determining applications, aiming to drive economic growth and create jobs.
Speaking at the RTPI Cymru Conference, Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Evans announced nearly £9 million in investment to strengthen key planning services, new fee regulations to boost performance, and measures to tackle workforce shortages - such as funded postgraduate bursaries and new senior planner roles in North Wales.
A draft Planning (Wales) Bill will also be introduced to the Senedd in September to simplify decades-old legislation and make planning law clearer and more accessible.
Digital upgrades and faster infrastructure decisions are already underway, with some major applications now resolved 14 weeks ahead of schedule.
“These reforms mark a step change for planning in Wales,” said Evans. “They will deliver the homes, infrastructure and jobs our communities need.”
You can find out more about the proposed changes by visiting the Welsh government website.3
Government to reform Building Safety Regulator
The government has announced major reforms to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), aiming to streamline processes, improve oversight, and lay the groundwork for a single construction regulator - one of the key recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
The BSR has long faced criticism from parts of the construction industry, particularly those delivering large-scale schemes, for causing delays and acting as a bottleneck in the development process. In response, the government has introduced a package of reforms including leadership changes, new investment, and the introduction of a fast-track application process.
These measures are being framed as an ‘early step’ towards the broader goal of unifying regulatory functions under one construction regulator. This structural change is intended to improve consistency, reduce duplication, and keep safety at the forefront of building practices.
A significant appointment accompanies the reforms: Andy Roe KFSM has been named non-executive chair of a new board within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to oversee the BSR’s transition. Roe, former Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, brings extensive leadership and safety experience to the role. He will be joined by Charlie Pugsley, the incoming Chief Executive Officer of the BSR.
The government has stated that these reforms build on the progress made since the BSR’s inception and are a critical step toward achieving safer, more efficient building regulation.
To support ambitious housing delivery targets, a new Fast Track Process will also be introduced. This aims to address industry concerns around delays by bringing additional building inspector and engineer capacity directly into the BSR. The initiative is designed to speed up the processing of new-build and remediation cases, while maintaining rigorous safety standards for both buildings and residents.
You can find out more on the government’s website.4
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/upcoming-changes-to-written-representation-appeals
- https://www.terraquest.co.uk/news-and-insights/the-planning-application-index-q1-25
- https://www.gov.wales/planning-reforms-set-speed-infrastructure-decisions-and-create-jobs
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/reforms-to-building-safety-regulator-to-accelerate-housebuilding
