Top 20 UK Planning Application Hotspots for 2025
What are the UK’s construction and regeneration priorities in 2025?
Live data on the biggest UK developments shaping housing, regeneration, and infrastructure
Data source: Doorda Planning Applications Database
Introduction
The UK planning pipeline in 2025 is dominated by large-scale regeneration, housing developments, and infrastructure-led schemes. From Oxford North District (£500M) to Wembley regeneration (£350M), these projects are reshaping cities, driving investment, and influencing housing supply.
This guide lists the Top 20 planning application hotspots for 2025, ranked by project value, with postcodes, local authorities, and project descriptions. It is the most up-to-date reference for UK construction trends, housing development data, and regeneration opportunities.
Methodology
This list is based on live planning application data (updated 4 September 2025) from the UK national planning database. Filters applied:
- Applications submitted from 1 January 2025 onwards
- Project value of £50M+, or 200+ housing units
- Location confirmed by postcode and coordinates
- All statuses included except withdrawn applications
The result is a ranked list of the largest, most valuable UK planning projects of 2025.
Top 20 UK Planning Application Hotspots (2025 Ranked List)
| Rank | Scheme & Postcode | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oxford North District OX2 0QT | £500 M | knowledge-quarter planning, life-science campus |
| 2 | Cambridge North West Quadrant CB4 2HY | £400 M | zero-carbon planning, NW Cambridge eco-homes |
| 3 | Birmingham Smithfield Phase 2 B5 4BP | £360 M | Smithfield regeneration, HS2 planning |
| 4 | Wembley Regeneration – North End Road HA9 0UU | £350 M | build-to-rent London, Wembley regeneration 2025 |
| 5 | Bristol Temple Quarter BS2 0BY | £300 M | Temple Meads regeneration, creative hub |
| 6 | Leeds South Bank – Crown Point LS10 1ET | £240 M | Leeds PRS scheme, riverside apartments |
| 7 | Manchester Greengate Skyscraper M3 5JL | £220 M | Greengate tower, Salford city-centre living |
| 8 | Nottingham Island Quarter NG1 1AA | £200 M | Island Quarter phase 2, waterside regeneration |
| 9 | Edinburgh St James Quarter Extension EH1 3AD | £200 M | retail-to-resi, Edinburgh skyline |
| 10 | Silvertown Tunnel Legacy Sites E16 2QU | £180 M | post-infrastructure development, Thames-side |
| 11 | Sheffield Heart of the City II S1 2HH | £180 M | Sheffield mixed-use, Heart of the City planning |
| 12 | London Docklands Royal Albert Wharf E16 2QJ | £170 M | docklands housing scheme, Thames waterfront |
| 13 | Glasgow Queen Street District G1 3AH | £150 M | adaptive reuse Scotland, office-to-resi |
| 14 | Plymouth Millbay PL1 3LF | £140 M | Millbay waterfront, coastal regeneration Devon |
| 15 | Cardiff Central Square Phase 3 CF10 1EP | £130 M | Welsh capital regeneration, tall-buildings Cardiff |
| 16 | Bath Western Riverside BA2 3DQ | £125 M | heritage city planning, flood-resilient housing |
| 17 | Brighton London Road BN1 8YR | £110 M | Brighton high-density, coastal city housing |
| 18 | Newcastle Stephenson Quarter NE1 3AX | £95 M | science-led development, Stephenson Quarter masterplan |
| 19 | Liverpool Baltic Triangle L1 0BS | £90 M | creative quarter, Baltic Triangle apartments |
| 20 | Sully Sports & Social Club – 200 Houses CF64 5SL | £20 M | green-belt controversy, Dinas Powys development |
Why These Planning Applications Are Important
These planning applications highlight the UK’s construction and regeneration priorities in 2025:
- Knowledge and life-science hubs in Oxford and Cambridge
- City-centre regeneration in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, and Bristol
- Housing-led development in Nottingham, Liverpool, and Brighton
- Controversial green-belt schemes such as Sully Sports & Social Club
Together, they show where investment, housing delivery, and infrastructure growth are concentrated across the UK.
FAQ – UK Planning Applications 2025
Q: Where are the biggest planning applications in the UK in 2025?
A: The largest UK planning applications in 2025 are in Oxford (£500M Oxford North District), Cambridge (£400M North West Quadrant), and Birmingham (£360M Smithfield Phase 2). These major regeneration schemes dominate the national planning database.
Q: Which UK cities have the most new housing and regeneration projects in 2025?
A: Cities with the biggest planning hotspots include London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Oxford, Cambridge, and Bristol. These areas feature large-scale housing, commercial, and mixed-use developments.
Q: How can I check if a planning application near me has been approved?
A: You can search by postcode in your local authority planning portal or use the UK national planning database. Applications list status as Submitted, Approved, Refused, or Appealed.
Q: What counts as a “major” planning application?
A: A major planning application usually means:
- £50M+ project value, or
- 200+ residential units, or
- Large commercial, infrastructure, or regeneration schemes.
Q: Can refused planning applications still go ahead in 2025?
A: Yes. Many refused projects are appealed or resubmitted with changes. Even refused applications remain visible in planning records and generate high levels of public interest.
Q: Which planning applications are the most controversial in 2025?
A: Schemes with green-belt development, tall buildings, or heritage impacts are attracting the most debate. Examples include the Sully Sports & Social Club housing scheme in Vale of Glamorgan and Wembley regeneration in Brent.
Q: How can I find planning applications for my postcode?
A: Enter your postcode into the local council’s planning search tool or use the national planning database API to filter by location.
Q: What trends are shaping UK planning applications in 2025?
A: Key trends include:
- Life-science campuses (Oxford, Cambridge)
- City-centre regeneration (Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield)
- Transport-linked development (Bristol Temple Quarter, Silvertown Tunnel legacy sites)
- Sustainability and zero-carbon housing (Cambridge eco-homes, Bath riverside housing)